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By Ike Wigodo
The FaceCare Foundation has raised alarm that 19 years after the Rivers State Persons with Disability Welfare law was signed, the law only exists in name but not in effect.
The Executive Director, FaceCare Foundation, Ndireke Andrew Essie who made this known, said it is unacceptable that the law lacks enforcement, a functioning disability council and core rights protections should be established.
Andrew Essien said about one million persons who live with disabilities have challenges of structural and physical barriers such access to public buildings, transport, education and healthcare.
She revealed that the latest comprehensive Accessibility Audit Report under the Disability Rights Initiative Projects Accessibility Supported by the Disability Rights fund (DRF) confirmed that Nigeria is yet to implement the International framework United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons With Disabilities (UNCROS) Article of Mandated Accessibility Rights.
She noted that many residents of Rivers State are unaware of the Rivers State Persons with Disability Welfare Enforcement law of 2012, adding that after 19 years many government buildings and facilities particularly fail to meet even the most basic accessibility standard.
According to her, “the critical infrastructures in key ministries, Departments and Agencies are notably ill equiped, lacking essential features like ramps, elevators, proper door and accessable toilets.
She said the foundation has trained and empowered 40 People With Disabilities (PWDs) to advocate for their rights, equipping then with the tools to champion accessibility and carried out various campaigns and awareness programs and engaged key stakeholders seeking commitments to accessibility of persons with Disabilities in the state.
She said accessibility audit in Port Harcourt exposed the grim reality, that PWDs in Rivers State are systematically excluded from society due to lack of accessible infrastructure.
According to her, “the implications limited mobility, social exclusion and barriers to economic participation”.
“Our follow up checklist of some facilities checked showed little changes in attitude,awareness and physical accessibility of some buildings and infrastructure. Despite some positive strives by select facilities like shopping malls, most public and private infrastructures remain inaccessible. The non implemented Rivers State Persons with Disabilities Welfare Enforcement Law continues to reinforce the outdated welfare model,rather than empowering PWDs with rights based inclusivity.
We agreed that one year,the duration of the DRIPA project is not nearly enough to mark and achieves full accessibility in Rivers State but we are proud on the gains made during the project period and anticipate that the seeds down will germinate,grow and bear fruits.
One of the stark revelation from the audit is that 43.5 per cent of respondents in Rivers State are unaware of the Discrimination Against persons with Disabilities law, a key legislative tool intended to safeguard the rights and inclusion of PWDs”, she said
The FaceCare Foundation boss said the time for empty promises is over, demanding for concrete action from the government,civil society,private sector and individuals.
Andrew Essien said Rivers State must adopt a rights based disability law or domesticate existing National frameworks to ensure enforceable standards.
“Domesticate the National Disability Act or enact a rights based disability law for Rivers State, Establish a well funded Rivers State Disability Council, Establishing a well funded and active Rivers State Disability Commission is critical to overseeing compliance and driving continuous improvement.
Appoint a Special Adviser on Disability Affairs to the State Government,Mandate accessibility in all public buildings and infrastructure projects, prohibit approval of inaccessible building plans, targeted training for public service providers,along with widespread public enlightenment campaigns is necessary to shift societal attitudes and ensure that accessibility is prohibited”, she explained.
