Int PWDs Day: IFA urges implementation of disability laws

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has urged governments at all levels to engage persons with disabilities (PWDs) in democratic process, combat discrimination, abuse, prejudice and ensure their inclusion in all facets of life on an equal basis with other people.

The Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and Convener, Access Nigeria Campaign, Grace Jerry, made the call on Friday in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with the theme: “Leadership and Participation towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.

• Anambra gov’ship: PWDs urge INEC on sign language interpreters
• CVR: PWDs tasks INEC on accessibility

The IDPD was proclaimed by United Nations (UN) through resolution 47/3 of 1992 to promote the rights and well-being of PWDs in all spheres of society and to increase awareness of the situation of PWDs in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

The IFA and its allies on the Access Nigeria Campaign leverages this day to advocate for change on PWDs issues, especially improved implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018.

“We call on the government to speed up implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 to enable the communities of PWDs deploy their huge potentials, values, talents, and contributions to the country and global community,” Jerry said.

She noted that the focus of this year’s theme is to ascertain PWDs inclusion through the provision of adequate systems, structures, and processes that accommodate PWDs access to and participation in public life on an equal basis with other citizens.

“In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world with PWDs among the worst affected groups. The health, economic and other consequences of the pandemic negatively impacted the political and socio-economic wellbeing of PWDs,” she said.

On electoral participation of PWDs, Jerry said that due to the advocacy efforts of IFA and other DPOs, electoral accessibility for PWDs in Nigeria is improving and that while progress is being made, some challenges remain to be addressed.

She said, “We call on the executive and National Assembly to ensure that the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is fully funded in the 2022 appropriation bill, now being considered by the latter, and other budgets in the years to come.

“We call on all Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing the Disability Act to develop policies that will ensure the implementation of the Disability Act.

“We urge the government to develop a PWD emergency national action plan to respond to the needs of PWDs during pandemic and beyond. Government and other relevant agencies should have an emergency preparedness plan before an outbreak particularly covering the needs of PWDs to avoid reactionary measures such as it occurred in the Covid-19 pandemic situation.”