In Ondo State, education for persons with disabilities is free at the elementary stage while one of the state’s universities accepts fifty per cent tuition from them.
For them to have access to education at all levels, the Association of Persons with Disabilities is hereby soliciting government assistance in ensuring that education becomes free in all tertiary institutions in the state.
Chairman of the Association, Comrade Ajayi Emmanuel spoke with Radio Nigeria Correspondent, Olufisoye Adenitan in Akure.
The report.
For many years, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State has been offering 50 per cent tuition reduction to persons with disabilities as well as allocating hostels to them at considerable rates.
The institution also had a considerable number of this category of Nigerians studying various courses while many have graduated with degrees, even up to masters’ level.
This feat is now acting as a driving force for the association of persons with disabilities in Ondo State, who noted that even though they were physically challenged, their dreams were not, hence the need for government’s support as demanded by the association’s joint national chairman, Comrade Ajayi Emmanuel.
Comrade Emmanuel called on parents with special children not to keep them at home but enrol them in primary and secondary schools dedicated to them which were situated in Akure, Oke Igbo, Owo, and Akoko areas of Ondo State at no cost to help such children attain their goals in life.
Speaking on government’s efforts at easing the plight of the physically challenged in Ondo State, the first female board chairman, Agency for the Welfare of Persons With Disabilities, Ondo State, Mrs. Folasade Arise maintained that their welfare was a top priority considering the various programs and activities initiated for them.
Mrs. Arise said plans were underway to amend their gazette to provide for more welfare packages for them and also protect their rights as they were still being abused especially, women and children.
She expressed the agency’s readiness to encourage local government councils to incorporate persons with disabilities into their programmes and activities.
Olufisoye Adenitan
