Though the Nigerian constitution operates on the principle of rule of law, there is obviously in place a social class system that discriminates against certain members of the society. One of such class of people is the physically challenged, sometimes derogatorily referred to as the disabled. Instinctively, if a typical Nigerian comes across a physically challenged, the first impression on his mind is that of an individual that is helpless and useless to the society. And he shows this by sometimes arrogantly offering alms. The dearth of baseline information about this social category, especially in developing nations, including Nigeria, usually clouds our knowledge about their potential (ability in disability).
Based on the World Report on Disability, approximately 25 million Nigerians are physically challenged, with 3.5 million of these having very significant difficulties in social and physical functioning. These disabilities include physical and intellectual developmental conditions. Regardless of the large number of people with disabilities in Nigeria, little support, if any, is given to individuals that are physically challenged. These individuals are often excluded from social, economic and political affairs in the society.
In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the physically challenged to have a sustainable means of livelihood. This stems from their inability to access basic facilities. Actually, inadequate and unreliable infrastructure particularly transport services are a fact of life for the majority of physically challenged in Africa and Nigeria in particular. Little provisions are made for easy movement of the physically challenged in most public transport outlets or public places.
Although the most common avenue of social aid for the physically challenged is usually through families, non- governmental and religious organisations, however sometimes, the physically challenged are ostracised by the society and family members that are expected to protect and care for them as they are seen as a source of disgrace by relatives. In extreme cases, for example, these individuals are abandoned to become homeless, living on the streets or family members keep them indoors away from public notice especially if they come from wealthy families, in governmental institutions.
This is generally due to the negative attitudes an average Nigerian has developed over the years towards the physically challenged coupled with the lack of awareness or total disregard for the genuine causes of disabilities. For instance, a child with Down’s Syndrome is said to be suffering from the effects of evil spirits on the mother during pregnancy. Also, there are erroneous traditional beliefs that physically challenged people are serving retributions for the offences of their forebears!
The height of all these discriminations and stigmas is that the physically challenged’s rights to free education, medical care and employment are often prevented. This is in spite of a law, which recognises and preaches that all people be treated equally, regardless of their physical state. The question is, how has the law been enforced? People with disabilities suffer domestic violence and abuse daily. They are being segregated and marginalized and even discriminated against in job market and nobody is getting punished for this.
In order to address this imbalance, the Lagos State Special People’s Bill was passed into law in June 2011. The law seeks to uphold the rights of all persons living with any form of disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State by safeguarding them against all forms of discrimination and giving them equal rights and opportunities. Equally, the passage of the legislation gave birth to the establishment of The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs. The first governing board was inaugurated on July 9, 2012 and charged with implementing the law.
However, through the all inclusive government policy model of the Ambode administration which makes all citizens equal, irrespective of their physical or social status, the state government has continually shown concern for the physically challenged in so many ways. For instance, it has put a machinery in place to protect the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities which include implementing the state’s Special People’s Law which compels employers of up to 100 personnel to reserve at least one per cent of the workforce for persons with disabilities.
Also, through the same law, it has become a crime in the state to discriminate against any person with disability because of their physical challenge. The state also provides rights of children with disabilities to education, to health care services, to freedom of communication, to public transport, to drive and reservation at parking lots.
Other rights include provision of facilities at public buildings; right to legal aid; rights of tenants with disabilities; public functions; rights under emergency situations; right to first consideration in queues; right to five per cent of accommodation reservation consideration and rights to social security among others.
Recently, the Lagos State Governor inaugurated the new board of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, expected to manage the affairs of people living with disabilities by issuing guidelines for their education, social development and welfare. Moreover, members of the board are to ensure that the affairs of people living with disabilities are well-managed by people passionate enough to show that there is ability in disability.
Similarly, in fulfilment of the promise he made on May 29, 2016, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also launched the N500m Disability Trust Fund with the anticipation that the fund would aid people living with disabilities in the state realise their dreams and maximise their potential in order to live a more comfortable life. This is in realisation of the fact that there are many people living with disabilities that possess requisite qualification, experience and character but are being marginalised in the scheme of things in the country. Also, notwithstanding the N500m Trust Fund, the PLWDs are still eligible to access the N25bn Employment Trust Fund meant for entrepreneurial development of all citizens in the state.
In all, it should be noted that many physically challenged people also have dreams and huge plans like the average human being. They also desire to live a better life, change the world as much as they can, and also contribute to the growth of the nation. But then, their dreams are cut short because of poor societal attitude towards them. Consequently, many of them have not lost confidence in the society but, sadly, in themselves.
As Lagos State has demonstrated, the way forward in terms of offering the physically challenged a new deal, it is hoped that others would follow suit. This is the right thing to do.
Ogunnubi sent this piece from Ikeja, Lagos
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