The Ability Life Initiative (TALI), a non-governmental organisation, has advocated for accessible and affordable housing and transportation services for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD).
The co-founder of the initiative, Dr Prada Uzodimma, made the call at a stakeholders’ forum on inclusive transport and accessible housing for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
According to Uzodimma, the forum was organised not just for dialogue, but as a “summit of responsibility” to address the numerous challenges faced by people with disabilities. The advocacy highlights the need for a collaborative approach to ensure the rights and well-being of the PLWD community.
“The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has set before us both a challenge and an opportunity to provide evidence-based, actionable inputs on transport accessibility in Nigeria.
“This action is guided by our obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Nigeria’s Disability Act of 2018.
“The countdown to this OHCHR deadline reminds us that history will record not just our discussions, but our courage to act.
“Our task is clear: It is to identify the real barriers persons with disabilities face a crossroads, rails, airways, waterways, and cities among others.
“This is to review our laws and policies with honesty, asking where they fall short and how we can align them with CRPD standards.
“This forum is to showcase solutions and innovations, from accessible taxis to inclusive housing models, proving that progress is not only possible but urgent.
“This project is important, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not just subjects of policy but authors of change, central in planning, implementation, and monitoring,” Uzodimma said.
She listed some of the expected outcomes the forum is expected to deliberate on and come out with tangible solutions that will be of benefit to persons living with disabilities.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, stated that persons with disabilities have long experienced marginalisation in inclusive transport and accessible housing, which are rights and not privileges.
He said that NHRC was established to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of everyone living in Nigeria.
Ojukwu said that the forum was in line with the commitment and effort of the NHRC in advancing and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive transportation and accessible housing.
“This forum is convened under the auspices of the Human Rights Council Resolution 55/8 on the rights of persons with disabilities, for inclusive infrastructure, transport and housing.
He said that OHCHR had requested the NHRC and other stakeholders to submit relevant information for its annual thematic study on the rights of persons with disabilities.
According to him, the human rights council Resolution 55/8 mandates OHCHR “to prepare its annual thematic study on the rights of persons with disabilities, and on disability-inclusive infrastructure, including transport and housing
He said that the forum was organised to initiate stakeholders’ conversation and to deepen partnership on the subject of access and inclusivity.
Ojukwu said that the forum would also collate relevant information that will guide inputs and generate practical recommendations to Human Rights Council report on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Mr Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, said that the stakeholders’ forum was apt and timely.
He said that attention and focus should be drawn to the implementation of provisions of Section 9 of the Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
“My administration is proud of this bold initiative taken by TALI. The time to emphasise total adherence to the section is long overdue, and its enforcement is now.
“This section focuses on goods, services, and facilities. It ensures that persons with disabilities have equal access to goods, services, and facilities, just like everyone else.
The Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority, Mr Ojo Oyetunde, who was represented by his Special Assistant on technical, Arch. Peter Okpanachi, acknowledged the demand of TALI.
Oyetunde said the demand by TALI for persons with disabilities is recognised under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
He said that FHA already had a plan to build affordable and accessible housing for this set of people.
The Ability Life Initiative (TALI) is a movement initiated to bridge the gap for persons living with disability. It is dedicated to empowering Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and advocating against discrimination.
