Assistive devices, vital to livelihood of Persons With Disabilities – Expert

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, James Lalu says Digital Assistive Devices are very important to the livelihood of Persons With Disabilities.

Mr Lalu stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital when the Clinton Health Access Initiative, CHAI, officially presented the Assistive Products Specifications (APS) to the Standard Organization of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary commended CHAI for always supporting the course of Persons with Disabilities through the formulation of Digital Assistive Technology that would make life easier for the PWDs community.

He further enjoined the Standard Organization of Nigeria to rise to the call of regulating the influx of assistive devices being imported from countries as well as the locally manufactured products to meet the standard specifications in Nigeria.

“It is unfortunate that we still have some substandard Assistive devices imported into the country especially the used- wheelchairs that inflict more pains on users.“

The Executive Secretary lamented that most of the manufacturers are profit oriented rather than focusing on producing quality devices.

Mr Lalu also disclosed that one of its partners, the Bank of Industry is funding the production of Assistive devices in the country.

He described the financial institution as a government agency willing to assist the Commission in achieving its mandate.

The CHAI representative, Mr. Gbenga Aleshinloye stated that the Assistive Product Specifications’ draft has been carefully compiled for ratification by the Standard Organization of Nigeria to serve as the professional standard on product specifications for Assistive devices.

He underscored the evolving trend in technology which he said should be embraced to make the world a better place especially for Persons With Disabilities.

PIAK