Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Edo, on Monday solicited partnership with the media to fast track passage of the Disability Right Bill in the state.
They made the call on Monday at a capacity building for journalists on the Edo Disability Bill via a visual meeting platform.
The capacity building was organised by the Steering Committee on Passage of Disability Bill in Edo in collaboration with the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent the Paul.
Mr Henry Ebose, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Edo Chapter, said the media has a great role to play in advancing the cause of PWDs.
Ebose, represented by Ann Ogugo, Vice-Chairman of Edo JONAPWD, said the capacity building was to bring the media to par with the challenges facing PWDs in the state, and the need for a disability law to address the challenges.
“We have made so much efforts in making sure that the Disability Right Bill is passed and signed into law in the state.
“But this has not been done, hence, the partnership with the media to help champion our cause,” he said.
Also, Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, a facilitator at the training, said the barrier created by the environment was what limited a PWD and not the disability the person had.
“The Disability Bill, when it becomes law in Edo, will make accessibility easy for physically challenged persons in the state.
“The law will also ensure that the rights of all PWDs are protected,” Anyaele said.
Also, Fidelia Uhigwe, Programme Coordinator, Child Empowerment Programme, Daughters of Charity, sought for more supports from the media in ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities were protected.
“The media should constantly remind the Governor of Edo that the about 500,000 PWDs in the state need to be protected from all forms of abuse and discriminations.
“We were given assurance that the Bill would become law in 2019, but we are now in 2020.
“The governor should follow the footstep of President Muhammadu Buhari, who had signed the Bill to law at the national level,” Uhigwe said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that journalists were trained on the different Models and terminologies of Disability for effective reportage
