Cross River State leads in Nigeria on Disability Law Accessibility

Disability Law in Nigeria 

In a groundbreaking move, Cross River State has become the pioneering state in Nigeria to make available its Disability Law, making it accessible to all, including blind persons, by providing the legislation in both print and braille formats

Director-General of the Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI) in Biase, Cross River State, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, disclosed this achievement as a guest speaker at the recent inter-ministerial and inter-agency awareness summit, focused on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018.

Cross River State has become the pioneering state in Nigeria to enact and implement the Disability Law making it accessible to all

The summit, themed: “Enhancing Awareness to Uphold the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” was organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Honorable Mohammed Abba Isa, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation.

The high-calibre event, held at the auditorium Hall of the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, celebrated Cross River State’s landmark achievement as the first state to make disability laws accessible. The milestone earned accolades from attendees and prominent Nigerians from various sectors and levels of government.

Professor Adedoja, who led the panel discussion, presented a paper titled “Highlights of Duties of the MDAs on the Implementation Programs for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.” He emphasized the importance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies familiarizing themselves with the contents of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act to align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for equal rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Cross River State has become the pioneering state in Nigeria to enact and implement the Disability Law making it accessible to all

The Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities reinforced Professor Adedoja’s points, stressing the significance of the Disability Prohibition Laws in promoting equal opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). According to the Special Assistant, these laws are crucial for ensuring access to education, employment and participation in politics and public life.

Adedoja reiterated that the Cross River State Teachers Continuous Training Institute will prioritize training teachers with disabilities to enhance special education opportunities for persons with disabilities. This initiative is in line with the Cross River State administration’s goal to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. He said Cross River State has made significant progress in training PWDs to create a more inclusive society.

Senator Mohammed Onawo, representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the MDAs for their commitment to the summit, highlighting that PWDs are a vital contributor to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, provided we give them the opportunities they deserve.

The conference drew a large and diverse attendance, comprising representatives from the Office of the Senate President, representatives of various ministries, heads of government agencies and clusters, multinational organizations and private sector entities, underscoring its significance and wide-ranging impact.

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