By Victor Ayeni,
A member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Director, Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind, Danlami Basharu, has stressed the need to create an equal and enabling environment for Persons With Disabilities in the country.
According to a statement on Wednesday, Basharu made the call at the ‘dinner in the dark’ programme, fundraising and graduation of the Resource Centre for the Blind in Lagos.
He said, “Most people often use the term ‘physically challenged’ when referring to persons with disabilities. This is unacceptable because it is believed that society is merely hiding behind a euphemism due to its inability to accept PWD for what they are but rather seeing them as mere charitable objects.
“Society must learn to support parents of persons with disabilities to continue to give that love and care that children and all persons with disabilities desire. More importantly, legislation is an important key to creating an acceptable and accessible environment for all PWD in Nigeria, and supporting the work of Non-Government Organisations for the blind and other persons with disabilities is also important.”
The Executive Director of RCB, Temitayo Ayinla-Omotola, stated that the centre had provided training for the visually impaired in various activities.
She said, “RCB’s curriculum has evolved to adapt to the changing demands of the modern world. We provide training in English language, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, braille, ICT, Music, mobility and orientation, and extra-curricular activities
“Every student is given priority attention, and no one is left out. The centre demonstrates that when one loses sight, it is not the end of the world, irrespective of age, status, or academic qualifications. There is room for everyone and something to be learned.”
