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Tag: disability act

  • Reps to investigate lack of compliance to disability act

    Reps to investigate lack of compliance to disability act

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 15, resolved to investigate the level of compliance with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act in gaining access to public buildings across the country.

    The House also asked its relevant committees to investigate approvals of building plans by regulatory authorities without provisions for accessibility facilities.

    Leading the debate on the motion, Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matter, Bashiru Dawodu (APC, Lagos) described the public building as a building made available for the use of members of the public whether owned by the government or private entities as provided for in section 57 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018.

    According to him, sections 3 and 4 of the Disability Act provide that a person with disability has the right to access the physical environment and public buildings on an equal basis with others, including road sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, elevators, crutches, and toilet facilities to make them accessible to and usable by persons with disability.

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    He said that with the expiration of the transitory period within which to make modifications, persons living with a disability still cannot access public buildings.

    He said the failure to make public buildings accessible to Persons with disability prevents their inclusion and full integration into Nigerian society.

    The disability act passed and signed into law in 2018 contained a five-year transition period within which public buildings were to be redesigned to provide easy access to persons with disabilities beginning in January 2019.

    The five-year transition period expired in January 2024.

  • ‘We will keep advocating for full implementation of Disability Act’

    ‘We will keep advocating for full implementation of Disability Act’

    The Lead Person for the VOICE Persons with Disabilities Community of Practice, Favour Adjara, has rued the low implementation of the Disability Act, five years after it was passed.

    She however said they will not be deterred from advocating for the full implementation to ensure the inclusion of persons with disability in the society.

    Adjara made this known at a two day stakeholders forum with the the “Unlocking the Potentials: Mainstreaming Disability Inclusion” in Abuja.

    She said the programme was to educate and advocate for the rights of PWDs in the society.

    She said, “This workshop is basically is for mainly for the inclusion and accessibility of PWDs in Nigeria. Basically you know that the exclusion of PWDs is too obvious that most of of us are being stigmatised and excluded from programmes and activities.

    “So this workshop is going to throw more light to stakeholders and right holders that PWDs have every fundamental right like every other person without disability. So this workshop is to educate the stakeholders and general public to know that PWDs also have their own individual and unique ability to contribute positively to the society.

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    “Even in this two day workshop there would an unveiling of the compass to disability inclusion which consists of the simplification of the Disability Act which we know has been in existence for the past five years and also the basic knowledge of PWDs.

    “So those of us who do not much about disabilities, once you have access to this documents, you are able to know more about PWDs and how to handle PWDs and their ability to contribute their own quota to the society without individuals in the society stigmatising them or excluding them from their activities and programmes in society. This programme is to educate and advocate for the rights of PWDs in the society.

    “It is a sad thing that most people are still now aware that the disability act is still not in existence after five years. I will use this opportunity to say that we all should be aware that it exists and we can even access it.

    “The implementation is actually low, but we would keep advocating. The issue of disability, we keep saying it, we have to make society an inclusive and assessable place because disability is everyone’s business. If you don’t implement it now, it would get to your turn. Even if you don’t have disability today, remember it is everyone’s business because you would grow old and at your old age, you might experience one or two disability.

    “That is where we are talking about the act. For now the implementation is low but we are also striving to make sure we create more awareness for full implementation of the act.”
    Programme Manager, Cognito, Linking and Learning Facilitators, Voice Nigeria, Kaseina Dashed, said inclusion should be at the heart of everything.

    She said at Voice and Cognito, they champion inclusion and would continue to do so.

    Also Cedric Owuru of Oxfam, who is the Linking, Learning and Amplifier Officers for Voice Programme, said they were committed to prioritising inclusion.

  • Reps committee reiterates commitment to ensure MDAs compliances to Disability Act

    Reps committee reiterates commitment to ensure MDAs compliances to Disability Act

    The House of Representatives has reiterated commitment to ensuring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) comply with the Disabilities Act.

    The Chairman House Committee on Disabilities Matters, Hon. Bashiru Dawodu, said this at the signing and validation of a partnership charter between aviation stakeholders and travellers who are persons with disabilities (PWD).

    The disabilities service desk and equipment were also handed over to National Commission for Persons with Disabilities ceremony.

    It was organised by a Non Governmental Organisation known as Center for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE).

    The Disability Act, also known as the Discrimination against People with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018, was passed by the National Assembly to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and promote their overall welfare.

    However, despite its passing, compliance with the Act has not received sufficient attention since the expiration of the grace period in January.

    Hon. Dawodu commended Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas for his foresight in establishing the committee and assembling a team dedicated to advancing disability rights.

    Dawodu, who noted their extensive engagement with communities and their tireless efforts to kickstart the implementation process, highlighted key provisions of the Disabilities Act to include access to public buildings, employment quotas, and promotion of welfare for persons with disabilities.

    He stressed the importance of enforcing these measures to protect the rights and promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

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    He said the Committee will continue to closely monitor government agencies’ adherence to the law, particularly in areas such as recruitment, housing, transportation, and healthcare.

    He urged stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the legislation and pledged to facilitate robust stakeholder engagement to shape future initiatives under the Disabilities Act.

    The lawmaker emphasized the role of the Ministry of Information in raising awareness about persons with disabilities, ensuring their inclusion in public discourse.

    He said, “Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution establishes the National Assembly and grants it the power to represent, legislate, and oversee other branches of government. Sections 88 and 89 specifically empower the National Assembly to exercise oversight and invite representatives from different aspects of the government for questioning.

    “To address this issue, the committee is now taking steps to enforce the law effectively. Furthermore, the Act mandates that persons with disabilities have access to all public buildings, and it also requires government entities to allocate at least 5% of their recruitment to persons with disabilities.

    “The Act covers various aspects of life, including housing, transportation, and health. The committee’s plan moving forward includes not only the legislative aspect but also extensive engagement with stakeholders and communities.

    “This approach aims to incorporate diverse perspectives into the committee’s agenda for the next four years, as it strives to improve the implementation of the Disabilities Act and enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. “

    Director, Research and Documentation, Association of Lawyers with Disability in Nigeria, Barrister Yusuf Iyodo, expressed dismay over the lack of effective implementation of the law.

    He said this has resulted in continued discrimination and marginalization of persons with disabilities.

    He emphasized the importance of enforcing the provisions of the Disabilities Act to ensure equal opportunities and access to resources for individuals with disabilities.

    He noted that the Association of Lawyers with Disability in Nigeria remains committed to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and addressing the systemic barriers they face.

    Barrister Iyodo urged stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the general public, to work together to eliminate discrimination and promote inclusivity for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

    Speaking on the Accessible Aviation Project, Chief Responsibility Officer, CARE, Dr. Chike Okogwu, explained that the project aimed at ensuring equitable access to air travel to for all individuals, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities.

    According to him, the signing of the charter between the Aviation stakeholders and the PWDs signifies a concerted commitment to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing air transportation and to implement sustainable solutions.

    “The partnership charter outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, advocacy, and action, with a focus on enhancing accessibility across all aspects of air travel.

    “Key objectives include the improvement of physical infrastructure at airports to accommodate diverse needs, the implementation of training programs to sensitize aviation personnel on disability rights and best practices, and the promotion of inclusive policies and services within the aviationy industry,” he said.

    The Head of Commercial and Business Development at Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Plc, Chioma Offor, advised individuals with disabilities to inform airport staff of their specific needs when purchasing tickets.

    According to her, the move will improve accessibility and enhance the travel experience for persons with disabilities.

    She emphasized the importance of proactive communication to ensure that necessary arrangements are made to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

    This, she said, includes providing assistance with check-in procedures, security screenings, boarding, and disembarkation.

    Acknowledging the challenges that individuals with disabilities may encounter during air travel, the company reiterated its commitment to promoting inclusivity and providing support to all passengers.

    The company has pledged to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including airlines and regulatory authorities, to implement measures that enhance accessibility and improve the overall travel experience for persons with disabilities.

  • FG begins enforcement of disability act next year

    FG begins enforcement of disability act next year

    The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) James Lalu has revealed that the commission would begin the enforcement of the Disability Rights Act starting from January.

    He said a task force would be put in place to ensure that provisions of the act are fully enforced.

    The Executive Secretary, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, said the enforcement would eradicate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for every citizen, irrespective of their physical or mental abilities.

    The Disability Rights Act was passed by the National Assembly in January 2019, after several years of advocacy by disability rights activists.

    However, the legislation had not been fully enforced until now.

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    The Act covers a wide array of rights, including the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities in various sectors, such as education, employment, healthcare, and public transportation.

    The Executive Secretary said the Federal Government was committed to promoting inclusivity, equal access, and social justice for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

    He said: “When you look at the provision of the discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition act, there are a lot in that law. The PWDs community carefully sent them to develop that law and it has passed many years of struggle to where we are today.

    “Having done that, the commission has been established and given the full responsibility for the enforcement of the provisions. Today they have stated that the low five years was even now in the five years surrounding. We are now transiting from the era of advocacy, to an era of enforcement.

    “The era of enforcement is here and by January, the commission is expected to move out in full force to make sure that the provisions of the law are properly enforced.

    “The commission will start meeting with its own partners and compose the taskforce immediately before this Christmas. Everything will be on ground before the roundup of this year so that as we come in early next year, the taskforce will be inaugurated and immediately after by the time on the 16th of January 2024 that will be the expiration date then by 12 midnight after 17th of January, the Commission and task force will move out in full force.”

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, who called for synergy between stakeholders to ensure compliance of the Act, stressed the need for domestication of the Act in all states.

    According to Edu, the full implementation and enforcement of the Disability Act is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

    She said: “All that is needed now is the cooperation and support of all stakeholders in Nigeria, including persons with disabilities themselves, to ensure that no stone is left unturned, and no one is left behind in the sustainers of strategic advocacies, stakeholders engagement and effective utilization of opportunities to create for them by the policies and programs of federal government a better point to leverage from.

    “The full implementation and enforcement of the Disability Act is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians. It’s not what the federal government can do alone. All other levels of government, state, local government and even our communities must become very conscious of this implementation and push for it.

    “Also, we want this Act to be domesticated and implemented in all the states. So, we’re challenging all the speakers and the state houses of assembly to quickly swing into action, working with the executive, to domesticate this Act, as well as create a commission that can be a wireline for those at the grassroots.”