JONAPWD Storms National Assembly, Seeks Domestication, Implementation of Disability Act
Members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) have stormed the National Assembly to demand domestication and full implementation of the Disability Act 2018.
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is the umbrella organization of persons with disabilities in Nigeria (JONAPWD) is the umbrella organization of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. We largely exist as a civil coalition of organizations which brings together the key umbrella organizations of persons with disabilities (across their diversities) in Nigeria. These organizations include but not limited to the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCAIN), Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), The International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA), National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPPD), Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN), Association of Persons with Deafblindness and the Dwarfism Association of Nigeria. Others include the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), Association of Workers with Disabilities, Parents of Children with Disabilities, and others.
National President, JONAPWD Mr. Abdullahi Usman Aliyu, lamented the delay in domestication and implementation of the act which was signed into law five years ago, saying no significant impact had been felt by persons with disabilities in the Nigerian communities.
He noted that his members were still facing mobility difficulties at public places, non inclusion in government programmes and appointments among others.
“In the public places, there’s no ramps, there’s no accessibility for persons with disabilities. Members were also discriminated against during recruitment and employment ”
Aliyu called on well meaning Nigerias to join the campaign so that the principles of the disability act 2018 would be integrated and enforced in the fabric of the Nigerian society.
“In acknowledging the importance of inclusion of persons with disabilities, the Nigerian Disability Law still stands as a landmark piece of legislation designed to empower and protect the rights of persons with disabilities across our Nation. It represents a significant step towards fostering an environment that embraces disability inclusion, ensures equal opportunities, and upholds the principles of human rights for all.
Notwithstanding the disability law, the current realities regarding compliance on disability inclusion in Nigeria still scales persons with disabilities in the board sample of Nigerians with poorer well-being and regimented leadership, coupled with reduced access to services related to health, work, rehabilitation, education, government social welfare, humanitarian responses, and many others. These conditions are one of the many associated shortfalls like:
1. Weak enforcement of the disability law: the laws which have been established to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and in their interest are not properly enforced and implemented.
2. Inadequate funding: resources allocated to implementing disability responsive policies and plans are often grossly inadequate.
3. Negative attitudes: beliefs and prejudices are the main barriers as people do not see persons with disabilities as productive citizens.
4. Lack of citizen-generated disability data and information: Weak systems to build inclusive data systems that empower persons with disabilities to play a meaningful role in the data value chain. No sufficient information to understand the real situation of persons with disabilities and identify gaps that are not addressed through policies and their programmes.
