Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Folashade Ogunrinde
Published on 2024-04-03 04:00:25
Abdulwahab Matepo’s life took a significant turn after a road accident in 2000 left him with a spinal cord injury, making him a person with a disability. This experience motivated him to advocate for the Nigerian government to pass the Disability Rights Law, which would improve the conditions for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
After persistent efforts from multiple disability rights groups and activists over two decades, Abdulwahab Matepo’s dream became a reality. On January 23, 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 into law. This law aimed to eliminate employment discrimination, provide access to public buildings, promote inclusive education, and reserve 5% of employment in public organizations for PwDs.
The Act included sanctions in the form of fines and imprisonment for violators and established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to oversee the prevention of discrimination and ensure disability inclusion across all sectors. Despite being in existence for five years, the impact of the Disability Act in Nigeria has been minimal, especially for the approximately 29 million PwDs in the country.
In a recent incident involving Debola Daniel, a PwD, he faced discrimination at a KFC outlet in Lagos, highlighting the daily challenges faced by PwDs. The manager of the outlet publicly declared that wheelchairs and wheelchair users were not allowed, causing a humiliating experience for Daniel. While the incident gained attention and led to the temporary closure of the outlet, many such cases go unnoticed.
In addition to public discrimination, PwDs like Kehinde Adeyingbo face accessibility challenges in public transportation. Despite working as a bus conductor, Adeyingbo struggles to navigate the city due to the lack of wheelchair-friendly transportation options. The Lagos Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, which is a public-private partnership, fails to provide adequate accessibility aids, forcing PwDs to rely on the goodwill of fellow passengers.
Furthermore, the Act also addresses employment discrimination, stating that public organizations should have at least 5% of their workforce comprising PwDs. However, many PwDs, including Susan Obi, face challenges securing employment due to discrimination. Obi, a teacher with albinism, encountered discrimination when applying for media internships and later for teaching positions.
Moreover, inclusive education remains a challenge for PwDs like Oluwakemi Odusanya, who faced exclusion and lack of adapted learning materials at the University of Lagos. The Act mandates that all public schools be inclusive and accessible to PwDs, but implementation remains lacking.
Despite the legal framework in place, enforcement and awareness of the Disability Act are major obstacles. The lack of accessibility in public buildings, transportation, and educational institutions underscores the need for better implementation and awareness campaigns. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is working towards improving access and implementation of the Act, but challenges persist in enforcing the provisions.
In conclusion, while the Disability Act in Nigeria offers legal protection and rights for PwDs, the lack of effective implementation, awareness, and enforcement poses significant barriers to inclusivity and access for PwDs in various aspects of life. Continued advocacy, awareness campaigns, and concrete actions are essential to ensure the rights and dignity of PwDs are upheld and protected in Nigeria.
Read the original article on Premium Times
