By Charles Akpeji, Jalingo,
Say segregation to special schools is discrimination
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe and Abia states say they want to be carried along in all activities in the country.
They also seek an end to the segregation system of education, where children with disabilities are educated in special schools.
Making their positions known, yesterday, they urged both the state and non-state actors to embrace a more inclusive educational model for children with disabilities.Their demands were made at a two-day capacity building organised by Initiative Friends Association (IFA) for state and non-state actors from the four aforementioned states.
The exercise, which was organised in collaboration with Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) and supported by SCALE-Palladium, was also e brought together members of the Joint Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) from the four states.
They argued that segregation of persons with disabilities in schools and other public places was discrimination against PWD.
The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, said such act was capable of affecting the performance of the disability community.
She said the act of excluding the disabled community from social activities made them more vulnerable and led to human rights abuses.
Jerry spoke on understanding disability, disability rights and inclusion. She felt sad that many states across the country did not have disability laws.
She urged Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa, to borrow leaves from Abia State by ensuring that the “Disability Bill is not only passed into law and assented to by the governors, but also ensure that disability Commissions are established in their respective states.”
Also, both IFA Programme Manager, Moses Oluwaseyi and the Taraba State chairman of the Coalition for Civil Society Organisations, Dr. Joseph Gimba, believed that the dreams of PWD could be achieved in the aforementioned states and the country at when the much desired political wills are put in place.
