PWDs In Osun Seek Improved Access To Education, Healthcare, Justice

A cross-section of stakeholders in Osun State want persons with disability to have equal opportunity and access to good healthcare, education and justice with other people in the country.

They made the call in Osogbo at the inauguration of the State Disability Inclusion Project for September 2021 to August 2022 designed by the Albino Foundation and other Civil Society Organizations, CSOs.

According to the organizers of the event, which are mostly non-governmental bodies, including the Osun State Ministries of Health, Education, and Justice, the Disability Inclusion Project sponsored by the Disability Rights Foundation, is to facilitate easy access to basic needs of persons with disability in government departments and agencies.

They appreciated the efforts of government at making life better for them but lamented the stigmatization and the attitude of other members of the public to their disabilities.

Speaking on the project, some stakeholders, including the General Manager, Radio Nigeria Gold FM, Mr. Adedamola Tinubu, promised that the station would continue to promote peaceful coexistence, as well as show love and care to the persons with disabilities.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Project Advocacy Steering Committee, Mr. Bukola Idowu, pledged that the members would do everything possible to improve the understanding of key officers of the ministries of Education, Health and Justice on disability inclusion, thereby engendering imoroved inclusion and accessibility to better services for persons with disabilities.

Earlier, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer, Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle, explained that the Disability Inclusion Project was to influence government policies and programmes in Osun State towards promoting inclusion and mainstreaming of disability for equal access to services and intervention.

Mr. Epelle emphasized the need for the Advocacy Steering Committee to work together with other stakeholders and create a conducive society for persons with disability to live in.

Funmi Adekoya