As we celebrate MayDay (Workers Day), it is important we draw attention of the government to plight of workers with disabilities, these are the words of Comrade Chris Agbo, a disability rights advocate.
Comrade Chris Agbo, CEO and Founder of JOMIDA Foundation For Persons With Disabilities and the Executive Director and Publisher of The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) a disability focused magazine has called on government to expedite action in the implementation of Discrimination against Persons With Disabilites (Prohibition) Act 2018 to enhance accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities at workplaces.
He said that a lot should be done to improve and make available assistive technology for different forms of disabilities in Nigeria. This will enhance the work performance of persons with disabilities and also improve the employability of persons with disabilities.
“When there is assistive devices such as JAWS for the blind people and other software that enhance access to information for different forms of disabilities. Again, accessibility of public buildings, employers of labour will no longer have problem employing persons with disabilities”.
Comrade Chris Agbo who is also the Chairman, National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities(NAPWPD) and Secretary, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) FCT Chapter also drew the attention of the authorities about challenges faced by workers with disabilities such as high cost of transportation because some workers with disabilities especially those with physical disability can not use cheaper means of transportation, they resort in taking taxis which is more expensive, cost of maintenance of their mobility aids, cost of constant check at the hospital, cost of aides on the part of the blind and cost of sign language interpreter on the part of the Deaf.
He called for the introduction of disability allowance to cushion the effect of all these challenges mentioned above if we wish persons with disabilities to survive even when they have job.
He also demanded that the 5percent employment quota for persons with disabilities be implemented by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies and reminded that the 5year transitory period or grace is remaining less than 8 months.
Ministries, Departments and Agencies should expedite action on the modification of their offices to have all accessibility features to make access to their easier for persons with disabilities
He congratulated Nigerian workers and wished that the incoming administration will improve the living condition of the workers, upgrade the minimum wage to a living wage.
