The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, has issued a plea to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to approve a mobility aid allowance for civil servants with disabilities in order to alleviate the current high cost of living.
The appeal was made by the Chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, during the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities Celebration.
Okeke also called for the provision of at least two 18-seater buses to address the transportation and mobility challenges faced by members of the disability community in the state.
Additionally, he urged the governor to ensure that public facilities such as Ekwueme Square, Awka Fun City, and the utility hall at Women Development Centre are made accessible to persons with disabilities, as mandated by the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018.
“We also appeal to our dear governor to consider appointing more qualified members of our community to political offices, as stipulated in Section 52 of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018
“We urge him to direct the Honorable Commissioner for Youths to organize a special “One Youth, Two Skills” program for persons with disabilities, to benefit a greater number of our members.
“We further beg Mr Governor to extend Christmas gifts to Anambra people with disabilities, as a gesture of goodwill from our esteemed governor,” he added.
While expressing appreciation for the efforts of the governor and his wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, in promoting development in the state, Okeke emphasized the need for more qualified members of the disability community to be appointed to political offices, as stipulated in the state’s Disability Rights Law.
Also speaking, chairperson of the Agency on Violence against Persons Prohibition Act in Anambra, Hope Okoye regretted growing cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV), particularly among PWDs.
She urged them not to die in silence but to speak up against such evil acts, assuring of prompt assistance by her committee.
Chairperson, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC) Chuks Ezewuzie announced that state government has mapped out budget for Volunteer Readers with responsibility of reading for virtually impaired persons in educational institutions.
Ezewuzie called for the full implementation of the Disability Rights Law and urged both public and private institutions to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. He also advocated for increased representation of persons with disabilities in leadership positions, in line with the principles of inclusivity and diversity.
The celebration also highlighted the progress made in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and emphasized the importance of continued efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible society. Despite some advancements, challenges such as the lack of access to public structures and transportation inhibit the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.
The event featured discussions on topics related to amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future, with speakers emphasizing the importance of education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services for persons with disabilities. The need for greater access and inclusion in all aspects of public life was emphasized, along with the importance of respect, understanding, and acceptance towards persons with disabilities.
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