From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) has intensified advocacy for the domestication of the Nigerian Disability Act in Enugu State.
Rising from a two-day sensitization workshop for Persons Living with Disabilities held in Enugu, moved to sensitive government offices to press home their demands.
The advocacy group organized the sensitization workshop and rally in Enugu State as part of the activities being supported by amplifychange to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day with the Campaign theme: #BreakTheBias.
Joined by hundreds of PLDs who had participated in the workshop, the group marched to the state Attorney General’s Office, the state House of Assembly complex and Enugu State Government House where they got commitments towards domestication of the act in the state.
According to the Executive Director, VDI, Catharine Ede, the group is also calling on the government to, “ensure that all public structures are made accessible to persons with disabilities.
“Engage a sign language interpreter in all primary and secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu State to bridge the communication gap between the healthcare providers and deaf patients in the hospital.
“Provide free health insurance cover for persons with disabilities and the provision of sunscreen for people with Albinism to prevent cancer of the skin.
They also demanded free access to contraceptive commodities and provision of cervical cancer screening for women and girls with disabilities.
The Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi after listening to the demands of the group gave an executive backing for the domestication of the Nigerian Disability Act by the State House of Assembly.
Ugwuanyi assured of his full support for the domestication of the Nigerian Disability Act by the state parliament adding that he is willing to go to the state House of Assembly to push for the bill to be passed into law.
On her part, a member of the delegation and Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation, Mrs Onyinye Mamah, praised Ugwuanyi for making efforts towards the welfare of Enugu residents especially those living with disabilities.
“Persons with Disabilities recognize the efforts of Enugu State House of Assembly and Enugu State Ministry of Justice to put in place a law that would protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities and provide for their welfare”.
