As part of activities under the Disability Rights Initiative Project, FAECARE Foundation embarked on sensitization campaign to Motor parks across Rivers State.
The project supported by Disability Rights Fund is geared towards carrying out advocacy, awareness campaigns and courtesy visits to key stakeholders.
FAECARE Foundation put together a team of Disability Rights Advocates to carry out series of advocacy visits to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to push for the reduction of inequalities and advancing the rights of Persons with Disabilities in their operations across Rivers State.
FAECARE Team in three separate courtesy visits engaged with the union chairman, and the entire executives of the union and motor parks focusing on sensitization on the current statutory provisions of the laws and the rights of Persons with Disabilities as it is detailed in the UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 focusing on road transportation.
The team after highlighting some of their concerns, affirmed that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), are integral part of Rivers State and have the same rights as others to move around, which includes the ability to access transportation.
Notable outcome from these successful advocacy visits was to develop a guideline on how to handle Passengers with Disabilities by drivers at the parks.
The disability advocates in a one day sensitization campaign, distributed IEC materials to drivers, conductors and passengers in the Rumuokoro Park, Port Harcourt. It was a successful awareness campaign.
“After the presentation of easy to read formats of the UNCRPD and Discrimination act in English and pidgin English, and posters of the guideline on how to handle passengers with disabilities in the park, Chairman, NURTW, the executives accompanied the advocates to go into the park and engaged directly with drivers and even passengers.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials like pamphlets, guidelines and stickers with key messages like Passenger Na Passenger, I no dey Discriminate where explained and handed to the drivers, while stickers were placed on their vehicles.
“Discrimination because of Disability is NOT allowed and will NOT be tolerated is the commitment by those operating in Rumuokoro Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State”.
The Executive Director, FAECARE foundation, Ndifreke Andrew Essien expressed satisfaction on the reception and the commitment by NURTW. She also said it was an amazing opportunity to focus the attention of these set of individuals on Disability Rights, which was made possible with support from Disability Rights Fund as part of Disability Rights Initiative Project.
Electronic Copies of IEC Materials are available on request via faecarefoundation.info@gmail.com
