People living with disabilities demand inclusion in Plateau LGs

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Plateau State chapter, has taken a significant step towards promoting disability inclusion with the launch of the Local Government Disability Framework.

Our correspondent reports that the framework aims to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in local government operations, policies, and programmes.

Speaking at the event, which took place in Jos on Wednesday, the State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Shindol Aaron Adamu, emphasised the need for local governments to adopt the framework, ensuring disability inclusion in all spheres of activities.

Aaron highlighted the framework’s alignment with the Nigeria Disability Act of 2018 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Chairman said, “One of the challenges we have faced as a people is lack of data, and we are pleading that even at the local government level, that can be factored in so that we can have comprehensive data that we can use at the LGAs and state levels and even at the national levels.

“We believe this will help the government for planning purposes and ensure that the local government infrastructure, schools and LGA clinics, markets and other public spaces are accessible to persons with disabilities. If that’s taken care of, be sure we will be happy and happier than we used to be.

“Let me remind us that inclusion is not a vehicle nor a favour but a right. We are not asking to be pitied; we are asking to be seen and heard. We are asking to be respected, and we are asking for a fair chance to thrive alongside others.”

Continuing, the state chairman said, “We respectfully call on all local government council chairmen in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission in consultation with the document we are presenting today to help us through the following: to serve as a strategy in implementing this framework. And we are asking that the local government help us establish a functional disability office.

“And that can easily be achieved when they work on synergy with the Disability Rights Commission. Another strategy we want to present is to create persons with disabilities at the grassroots in planning and monitoring their involvement.

“To create disability budget lines at the local government level because you discover that they hardly make such provisions to cater to the needs of persons with disabilities.

So, we are always attended to from the charity point; just look out for something and give them, and that is not working out well for us, and that’s why we are calling for a deliberate provision of a budgetary line for persons with disabilities at the local government level.”

The State Chairman called on the persons living with disabilities to rise to the occasion with humility and a sense of responsibility and commitment  to enable the framework achieve its objectives

“Let us work with our local leaders and not just benefit from the favour, but we help shape its success, thereby shaping the desired society we have always craved for,” he added

The Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Disabilities Rights Commission, Dr. Lengnen Jikukka, discussed the commission’s role in guiding and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Plateau State

On his part, the  Director of Research, Documentation, and Planning, Government House, Dr Samuel Godongs, spoke about the state government’s commitment to promoting disability inclusion and the importance of the framework in achieving this goal

The doors of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration remain open to the citizens of Plateau State, including persons with disabilities, and the framework will certainly have our support to achieve the objective,” he added.

Our correspondent reports that the Local Government Disability Framework facilitated by the Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youths with Disabilities is expected to have a significant impact on promoting disability inclusion in Plateau State.

Similar initiatives have been successful in other states, such as Gombe and Lagos, where the framework has been launched to promote disability inclusion

By implementing this framework, Plateau State can create a more inclusive and equitable society where persons with disabilities can thrive.