To aid compliance to Discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 in the area of accessibility of physical structures, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Sightsavers developed National Minimum Accessibility Standards to serve as a guide to all MDAs, Private Sector etc on accessibility of all public building in Nigeria.
It has been painstaking for NCPWD and Sightsavers to develop this document through a committee of different clusters of disability and other relevant professionals.
On Wednesday, 27th April, 2022, NCPWD and Sightsavers organized a validation meeting in Abuja to finalize work on the National Accessibility Standards before it would be presented to Executive Council for approval.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu in his speech, said that as soon as the document is validated, it would be sent to Executive Council for approval and the five transitory period for the compliance to accessibility in accordance to Discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 is almost at the 4th year.
He cautioned that as soon as the transitory period elapses, NCPWD will begin the prosecution of owners of public buildings without accessibility facilities for persons with disabilities.
He also said the document would serve as a guide to ensure that the facilities such as ramps and others are made accessible for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Lalu said “NCPWD partnership with the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies will come up with a taskforce that will monitor and enforce compliance for accessibility of buildings across Nigeria.
He therefore, called on all owners of buildings to brace up because as soon as we print the document and distribute them, there would be no more excuses as compliance with the law becomes mandatory,” he said.
Organizations like TETFUND and other similar agencies have already indicated interest to adopt the National Accessibility Standards.
Mr. Rasak Adekoya representing the Country Director said that accessibility is more than ramps, there are other things like colours and lighting in building for persons with albinism, sizes of the doors, height of the tables and many others.
He stated that the document is designed to create more accessible society for persons with disabilities and enhance their productivity.
Mr. Jake Epelle, the founder and CEO of The Albino Foundation(TAF), in his goodwill message commended the commission for their giant strides and said that the document after validation should be adopted by all relevant agencies because accessibility is very important for persons with disabilities.
Hon. Adamu Shaibu, the Vice President of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) who represented the National President of JONAPWD in his goodwill message said that accessibility is very important for persons with disabilities because it enhances the opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The validation meeting was graced by different leaders of persons with disabilities from different clusters, MDA representatives, and the media.
