A Senior Research Associate, Africa Polling Institute, Okonkwo Ekene has called on stakeholders from the Southeast to ensure the domestication of persons with disability Act.
Okonkwo who disclosed this during the Southeast Stakeholders Meeting in Umuahia explained that it is important In order to push for public policies on disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Uzoma Odera Okoye of the department of social works, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) decried that public facilities in Nigeria, both private and public sector are not disabled friendly.
Prof Okoye noted that it would not only benefit Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) but would solve the issue of stigmatization adding that anybody can be victim of circumstance.
She called on architects whom she believes are part of the stakeholders to offer professional advise to their client in ensuring that PLWDs are properly captured in their architectural drawing irrespective of the facility.
Prof Okoye made a case for basic sign language to be captured in the curriculum of every school as a way of having inclusive education and kill stigmatization.
Ngozi Okechukwu of the department of social works UNN, condemned the difficulty in accessing public facility by people living with disability as she maintained that such act is discrimination.
Earlier, the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Abia state chapter, Apostle Emmanuel Agomuo urged the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities to come under one umbrella in order to pursue a common cause.
A teacher from Imo State Secondary School for the Deaf, Dr. Loveth Onuekwusi lamented the dilapidated state of the school with little pupils to carter for which according to her is posing threat to the education of children with hearing impairment.
She also urged federal government to capture other PLWD civil servant in the Harmonisation of retirement age bill of 2021 as done for teachers.
Participants at the event appealed for better treatment by those concerned adding that it is their civil right.
