TheCable

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is partnering with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on the education of People living With Disabilities (PWDs). 

During a visit to TETFund on Thursday, James Lalu, executive secretary of NCPWD, stated the problems besetting PWDs in their pursuit of tertiary education.

He listed some of the issues as inability to pay school fees and lack of PWD facilities on campuses.

“It is unfortunate that many persons with disabilities are hampered by funding to further their education despite their determination to build capacity for their future,” he said.

He stated that most institutions do not have ramps for persons on wheelchairs and walkways for the blind.

Lalu said the commission has come up with a national minimum accessibility standard document which will aid compliance with building codes across higher institutions.

He said the document has all the necessary specifications and dimensions to make public infrastructure inclusive for PWDs.

He harped on the need to support disability studies through the provision of assistive devices and technology, and used the occasion to introduce an assistive device that stores up to 3,000 electronic books.

Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, said he was pleased with Lalu for being a worthy ambassador of the disability community.

He described the commission as an organisation that is key to the improvement of the lives of PWDs in Nigeria.

Echono promised to ensure complete adherence to the national minimum accessibility standard code in all higher institutions.

“We will ensure that the institutions have plans to build infrastructure that will accommodate persons with disabilities as they apply for scholarships for their students,” Echono said.

The TETFund secretary referenced the support a student who produced aid for the auditory impaired received, and assured that more support will be provided for students with disabilities.

He also expressed concern at the soaring forex rate which he said has negatively impacted funding for international scholarships at TETFund.