When we talk of disability, often it is not always about the impaired, as we may think, structures and environment can also be disabling. True, we must acknowledge that having an impairment can slow down human ability to do certain activities but if the environment, structures are configured in a way that makes life easy, the issue of disabilities becomes minimal.

The above and many more are some of the conclusion reached at Osun State Nigeria Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Inclusion community Stakeholders Policy Dialogue organized by Centre for disability and Inclusion Africa as part of its efforts to create an avenue to discuss nad reaffirm the position of the 6 states that make up of Southwest geo political zone in Nigeria, which has about 49 Million (22% of Nigeria population).

Welcoming participants drawn from (non)state actors of PWDs community in the state which has: the impaired, the affected and the concerned as well as Policy makers, government officials and relevant agencies; the executive director, Yinka Olaito, emphasised a need to collaboratively work together as well as create an avenue which ensures rights and participation of PWDs are protected.  

Panellists: L-R (Stephen Olufemi, Elixabeth Ishola, Jare Tiamiyu, Hon. Adewunmi Adeyemi Irekandu

He further emphasised the purpose of the policy dialogue is for the community to develop common focus which can drive disability, inclusive government, sustainable society demands in the state.

According to Yinka Olaito “Wee live in an age when conversation is loud about not leaving anyone behind, we need to go beyond talk and put money, action where our talk is”.

The theme of the event is “Nigeria Inclusive Society: accessibility, exclusion and social relationships”. It is a panel session that has strategic actor in the PWDs community which include:  Stephen Olufemi, Osun state chair, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities(JONAOWD), Mrs Elizabeth Ishola, Osun State Women leader, JONAPWD, Jare Tiamiyu, the CEO of Insight media and Honourable Adewunmi Adeyemi Irekandu who is a member of Osun State House of Assembly and sponsor of disability bill in the state.

Hon. Adewunmi Adeyemi believes whoever has a right to vote should have a right to be given his/her fundamental human rights as well as the right to enjoy the benefits of democracy in any nation. The full day event was full of essential discussions and recommendation form relevant actors including security agencies among which are Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun state PWDs desk lead- DSC Bakare Khadijah.

Key Recommendations

1     Osun State disability bill has almost gotten to the final reading through the efforts of JONAPWD, Disability civil societies in Osun State, the media and Osun State house of Assembly and to a large extent, it addresses the various barriers against PWDs in Osun state. The PWD community needs to start preparing for the implementation stage, so as to ensure smooth and quick implementation.

2.   Media had played an important role in the progress of the bill. There should be more synergy between the media and the PWDs in Osun’s state to advocate and promote PWD issues in the Osun State. Media needs data to effectively cover disability issues in Osun state and the PWD community should make disability data for Osun available to media organisation for impactful coverage of PWD issues in Oyo State

3.   There is a need for teamwork, equity and fairness within the various clusters of the PWD community.

4.   There is a need to regular mobilization, awareness, advocacy engagement and capacity building even with the PWD communities in Osun State

5.   The PWD community must reach the grassroots level and the Disability bill needs to be domesticated at the local government level as well. Policy Dialogue should also be replicated

6.   Women with disabilities in Osun State suffer double vulnerability and gender based violence which go unreported. There is a need for capacity training on sexual and reproductive rights.

7.   The PWD community is made up of the affected, impaired and the inclined, therefore interventions should cover all the parties.

8.   The PWD in Osun State decided to have a strong social media presence and a contact person who attends enquiries at JONAPWD Office.