PWDs need equal opportunities — NOT alms, says group

A group of People living With Disabilities (PWDs) has implored members of the public, governments and organisations to provide equal opportunities for the disabled instead of treating them as a charity. 

Kola Jayeoba, programme director, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities (AWWDI), said this at an event organised in collaboration with HIVOS and We Lead in Abuja.

He said in the past, PWDs were given handouts instead of being empowered with means of livelihood, and called for a change in perception and mindset.

“Over the years, the community of persons with disabilities have been treated as what we call the charity model,” he said.

“So the people and so many duty-bearers prefer to give them handouts, such as money and all of that, instead of giving them training capacity and opportunities like every other person, to enable them have a means of livelihood for the rest of their lives.”

Jayeoba added that the media training was organised to create awareness for journalists on proper reportage of issues relating to PWDs because they are important in shaping the minds of the public.

Tashashi Monsurat, the federal capital territory (FCT) coordinator of AWWDI, said auditory impaired women often experience communication challenges.

She narrated her personal experiences and enjoined governments to officially approve the introduction of sign language interpretation in all health centres in the country for inclusiveness.

Monsurat added that people with visual impairments should be provided with braille devices so that they can read information written by their doctors.

She also appealed to health workers to respect the reproductive rights of women and girls with disabilities.