Persons With Disabilities Demand Agency To Implement Disability Act

• The Abuja Association of the Deaf urges the FCT Minister to establish an agency for implementing Disability Act and policies
• AAD emphasizes challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities, seeking prioritization of the Disability Act’s domestication for inclusivity in Abuja

The Abuja Association of the Deaf (AAD) is urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to establish an agency dedicated to implementing the Disability Act and other government policies for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the territory. The AAD, represented by Chairman Ayoade Beyioku-Alase, highlights the challenges faced by PWDs in the FCT, emphasizing that despite government efforts, they feel abandoned and encounter barriers hindering their full and equal participation in society.

Beyioku-Alase stresses the importance of prioritizing the domestication of the Disability Act and creating the FCT Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The aim is to effectively address the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in Abuja. The AAD notes that various announced support initiatives, including palliative measures, have not reached the Deaf community and other Persons with Disabilities.

To overcome these challenges and promote inclusivity, the AAD calls on the FCT Minister and FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, to prioritize the domestication of the Disability Act. The proposed agency would be responsible for supporting persons with disabilities, advocating for inclusive policies, and ensuring accessibility in public spaces, education, and employment opportunities.

The envisioned mandate aligns with the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities policies, aiming to guarantee equal access to rights, opportunities, and services for persons with disabilities.