TheCable

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has spelt out specifications for public facilities in order to accommodate people with disabilities (PWDs).

James Lalu, the executive secretary of NCPWD, who was represented by Hannah Olayinka of accessibility department of NCPWD  during a programme on Human Rights Radio in Abuja, stated that the requirements are meant to improve disability inclusion.

Lalu said the commission has provided access interventions for PWDs in different higher institutions to ensure that infrastructure-friendly facilities are made available to aid their movements.

He added that PWDs need to access physical structures, communication and online/digital facilities with ease.

He lamented that in spite of sensitisation campaigns by the commission, people still could not differentiate one form of accessibility from the other.

He described the common ramps in most public facilities as luggage ramps which do not have the appropriate features for wheelchair users.

He spoke about the infrastructural redesigning of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, where special intervention funds were put in place to make the schools accessible for PWDs.

“If you visit the leprosy village in Alheri, Kwali, the environment has become more conducive and habitable with the construction of 40 units of accessible public toilets in compliance with the National Accessibility Standard code,” he said.

“This will minimise the rate of disease infections in that vicinity.”

He urged the public to seek the right advice from the commission with respect to the construction of accessible structures.

Esther Bature, the country advocacy coordinator for Sightsavers Nigeria, commended the commission for promoting disability inclusion.