According to the United Nations, out of the over 6.5 billion human population across the globe, 10 per cent are with one form of disability or the other. Also people with disabilities account for roughly 20 per cent of those living in poverty in developing countries. Worldwide, they suffer high rate of unemployment and often lack access to adequate education and healthcare while in many societies, there are simply no provisions made for this group and they end up living in isolation, disconnected from their own communities.
In Nigeria, over three million out of the estimated 150 million population are faced with hearing disability.
To appreciate and make them part of society, the United Nations General Assembly in 1982 declared December 3 of every year as World Disability Day. The 2010 edition has the theme; "Keeping the Promise: Mainstreaming Disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and Beyond". In commemoration of the day last Week, the Lagos State Government through Office of Youth and Social Development gathered people with disabilities in the state to join their counterparts worldwide to mark the day. Produces of persons living with disabilities were on display just as musical talents were showcased.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru assured that plans were underway to put ramps in every public place so that people on wheelchairs can access and go about their daily business without hindrance. He described the theme as timely saying that the "MDGs provide the best available framework for fulfilling the promise by world leaders at the summit in 2000 to spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from abject poverty and dehumanizing condition of extreme poverty."
The SA said that government was responsive to the yearnings of the people and would not relent in its efforts to provide the basic necessities of life that will make life better for people with disabilities. He stressed that the day provided opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and for equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities.
"This year's celebration presents another opportunity to make a renewed commitment to the principles of dignity and justice, equal opportunity, and to make sure that convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is implemented. Today is here for everyone to celebrate our mutual humanity and to remind us of the need to include the issues of disabilities as the world is working hard towards the achievement of the MDGs," he noted.
Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe urged every human being; lead or the led, male or female, able or disabled to apply the three fundamental principles proffered by the Department of International Development (DFID) whenever the issues of persons with disabilities are considered. These he said include; do not harm, address discrimination and proactively promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all human activities.
"We appeal to political leaders and parties to be ready and willing to accommodate persons with disabilities who have necessary qualifications and abilities to serve their communities," he pleaded."It needs be emphasized that the sustenance of equality of rights and opportunities in all our plans, programmes and policies will serve as a stepping stool to inclusion; and by extension bring about the dawn of greater attainments, creativity and productivity for persons with disabilities," Ogunlewe represented by Oluseyi Weno stated.Earlier, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Okikiade Adeyemi urged the federal and state governments to include persons with disabilities in their schemes even as he called on his members to register and vote for leaders that would advance their course in the 2011 general elections.
Adeyemi also solicited for use of sign-language and Braille on television to enable the hearing and virtually impaired have access to information and happenings around them.
"Since we all detest street begging and other anti-social behavours, it then becomes very necessary and crucial that the governments consider and provide persons with disabilities with necessary means of livelihood for survival," he maintained.
No comments:
Post a Comment