•Advocate for ramps, hand railings, and visibility markings in all public facilities
Stakeholders within the community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State for his remarkable strides in promoting inclusivity and providing care for Persons with Disabilities in Ekiti State.
The commendations were made at an interactive meeting organized by the State Ministry of Education, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Omolayo, lauded the Governor for ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or disability, has access to quality education.
In her introductory speech, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, highlighted the pressing need to address the significant barriers faced by individuals with disabilities across various aspects of life.
She shared inspiring stories of individuals with disabilities who have achieved extraordinary success. One of such examples is Adebolu Adejobi, a young boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy and speech impairment, who was unable to speak for over four years. Despite these challenges, Bolu achieved the best WAEC results in his school and is now pursuing a scholarship at Bells University. Another remarkable example is Kodi Lee, a visually impaired musician whose incredible singing and instrumental performances amazed his audience worldwide, earning him first place on the “America’s Got Talent” show.
Princess Adetoun also provided an overview of the different types of disabilities, including those affecting vision, mobility, cognition, memory, learning, communication, physical form, hearing, mental health, and social relationships. She emphasized that fostering diversity and ensuring accessibility not only empower Persons with Disabilities but also drive innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen the collective resilience of the PWDs.
The Special Adviser went further to urge participants at the training to treat all Persons with Disabilities with dignity and respect. She condemned the use of derogatory terms such as ‘Disabled People’ or ‘Less Fortunate,’ emphasizing that they are human first before being identified by their disabilities. As an example, she highlighted the common misuse of terms like ‘Albino People’ instead of ‘People with Albinism.’ She stressed the importance of prioritizing “Person-first language” to affirm their humanity.
The Ekiti State AGILE Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua disclosed that N191 million has been invested in the three Special Schools for various projects, including the renovation of hostels and classrooms, provision of learning materials and the creation of an enabling environment for children with disabilities.
During their goodwill messages, stakeholders including the Chairman, Board of Disability Affairs, Dr Ebenezer Ogunlade; JONAPWD Chairman, Mr. Sesan Aina; and the Executive Director of Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI), Mr. Funso Olajide, praised the state government for its pioneering efforts within the community of PWDs in Ekiti State. They also cautioned women against unapproved medical treatments during pregnancy, which could lead to disabilities in unborn children.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development announced the Governor’s approval to include a PWD representative in the Gender-Based Management Committee chaired by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji. She called for greater support for Women with Disabilities, who are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.
In her lecture titled “Inclusivity and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in the 21st Century,” Dr. Esther Oyefesobi made several recommendations, including establishing more Special Schools to accommodate rising enrollment, training and re-training of teachers in the Special Education sector and introducing Special Education programs in higher institutions of learning in Ekiti state.
The Director General of the Bureau of Asset Management, Architect Temitope Oni, provided technical insights on ramp measurements standards. She stressed the importance of critical factors such as slope ratios, width, landings and handrails in constructing accessible public facilities.
Several recommendations were made to further promote inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. These include: accessibility and inclusive infrastructure, access to free healthcare, provision of calming spots for neurodivergent persons, braille-labeled drugs for visually impaired, opportunities for leadership capacity, employment opportunities and inclusive education.
Participants commended Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his deliberate efforts in prioritizing the welfare of Persons with Disabilities. They acknowledged his administration’s proactive measures in addressing many of the outlined recommendations, particularly in the areas of Healthcare, Employment, and Educational programs tailored to meet the needs of Persons with Disabilities in Ekiti State.
The meeting served as a platform to strategize on fostering an inclusive and sustainable future for Persons with Disabilities while ensuring their full integration into society.