By Isaiah Eka
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged Nigerians to treat physically challenged people around them with dignity and respect.
The Executive Director, Mr David Anyaele, made the call at the opening of a two-day training workshop for persons with disabilities in Uyo.
Anyaele said that physically challenged persons should not be discriminated upon, but supported to live a worthy and dignified life.
Speaking at the conference titled: “Ending Barriers Against Niger-Deltans with Disabilities” he said that 16 per cent of the world’s population lived with different forms of disabilities.
Anyaele stated that disabilities could result from accidents, violent attacks, building collapses, fire outbreaks among others.
According to him, disability cases in Nigeria has continued to rise due to persistent conflict, violence, accidents and a weak healthcare system.
The executive director further said that the workshop was designed to equip participants with the knowledge to demand their rights within the society.
A facilitator, Mr Godwin Olumere, said that physically challenged persons should not only benefit from the society but be actively involved in its affairs.
Olumere stated that while change was constant, it might not favour persons with disabilities except they participated in change processes.
He said that it was unfair to develop and implement public programmes without the inputs of physically challenged persons.
The facilitator described advocacy as a critical tool that empowered physically challenged persons to speak out, and demand accountability from stakeholders.
“This workshop will educate stakeholders on disability-related issues, it will help to change negative attitudes, and address misconceptions,” he said.
A participant, Mr Anietie Jackson, said that physically challenged people should approach advocacy with courage and strength to avoid being intimidated.
Jackson thanked CCD for organising the programmme, describing it as a huge support to physically challenged persons in the region. NAN
