Inclusion in Nigeria

How to Mainstream Disability and Inclusion in the Media and its content

Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) and Disability issues suffer   different types of discrimination compared to persons without disability. Disability inclusion implies that attention is given to disability issues and Persons with Disabilities. 

Discrimination against persons with disability in the media takes different forms(We and a sister organization is doing a lot helping newsrooms to adjust, from very little representation of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria Newsroom, to little coverage of disability issues. There is also the use of stigmatizing and inappropriate language in news reports.

The problems do not stop there, there is lack of knowledge and low training among journalists, even though our commitments here are changing the landscape. More than the above, there is also a clear low enthusiasm among journalists and media entrepreneurs  who consider disability and inclusion reporting not a very lucrative and profitable expedition.

Some of the above have contributed to the low media literacy about disability and exclusion in the media as well as media contents.

The following are tips to mainstream disability inclusion in media and ensure a disability inclusive media house plus media contents.

1.   Intentionally increase coverage of disability issues by setting smart goals for coverage of disability issues.

2.    Readiness and willingness to cover and showcase great and impactful disability activities   by promoting the rights and dignity of persons with disability as well as their success stories.

3.   Constant and strategical newsrooms members training around on specialized disability skills: Disability etiquette, proper language use, disability interviewing techniques.

4.   Creation of a disability desk in the Newsroom. Hiring of PWD reporters, PWD experts to amplify their voices and perspective

5.   Make reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities. In media content production, there is a need to use simple language for persons with cognitive impairment.

6.   When in training session, ensure the use large fonts for audience with low vision as well as Use high contrast colours for   persons with colour blindness

7.   For your audio visual contents, incorporate Caption for your hearing impaired news consumer audience.

8.   During your major bulletins, incorporating a sign language interpreter which allows hearing0impaired audience news items consumers to follow/enjoy

9.   When it’s a show that include journalists and guest, it is ideal to provide image descriptions of guests for audience with bvisual-impairment

10, Do not always forget to mention the name of your guest so visually impaired viewers can relate

N.B First Published on Nigeriagrassrootnews

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Inclusion Matters Braodcast

How to Organise Inclusive event that integrates all

Event is one of the tools organization communicate value and impact to everyone. Unfortunately, many ignore basic issues that can help enhance the value of the organization. Many also think inclusion is far away from their domain, not knowing inclusion should be mainstreamed and promoted by everyone.

Given that level of ignorance, Yinka Olaito, our Executive Director decided to share some tips individuals, organizations need to know when they are planning event which they do hope will not leave anyone behind.

While the list is not exhaustive, listeners and viewers can pick a few things from these 10 minutes’ video below

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Call for Actions

United Nations Summit of the future 2024, A Clarion call on World leaders

As the world leaders converge in New York, USA between September 20-21, 2024 for the United Nations ‘Summit of The future 2024, Our Executive Director made a call to the world leaders to prioritise issue of Disability and inclusion

My Name is Yinka Olaito, I identify as an advocate, voice for disability and inclusion as well as for underrepresented and underserved population.

More also I am the Executive Director of Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa I am making this call As the world leaders converge in New York from September 20-21,2024 for the Summit of The future with a possibility to make far reaching decisions which will produce an inter-governmentally negotiated, action-oriented

Pact for the Future in Sustainable development and financing for development; International peace and security; Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; Youth and future generations; and Transforming global governance.

I call on the United Nations Secretary General. Mr António Guterres and other world leaders to step up conversation about disability and inclusion matters. As much as we agree there has been a shift in this area.

But as we all know, it is also very clear that the issue of Disability and inclusion is still largely missing at the table of global decision making.

We must understand there is no sustainable society without inclusion.

Over I Billion population issues must gain prominence and prioritise as we are just 6 years away from SDG 2030. It is high time to challenge leaders of government especially in the Global south to step up action on disability and inclusion

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Disability and rights to work

Young Adults with Disabilities and business career choice

Gloria Martinez

A business career presents a wealth of opportunities for young adults with disabilities. Far from being limiting, the dynamic nature of business allows for diverse roles that can be tailored to individual strengths and talents. By embracing a career in business, young adults with disabilities can not only achieve personal success but also contribute unique perspectives that drive innovation and inclusivity in the workplace.

A work Environment that Suits Your Need

In today’s business landscape, the ability to customize your work environment is crucial, particularly for young adults with disabilities. Many positions now offer the flexibility to work remotely or to adjust working hours, empowering you to work in ways that best fit your physical and mental needs. This flexibility allows for necessary breaks and adaptations in the workspace, ensuring optimal performance and well-being.

Cultivating Essential Skills

A career in business is a powerful avenue for developing key life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These skills are invaluable, helping to equalize the playing field with peers and navigate complex business scenarios effectively. The more you immerse yourself in business challenges, the better equipped you become to handle professional and personal obstacles, enhancing your overall life experience.

Achieve Financial Stability and Independence

One of the most significant advantages of pursuing a business career is the potential for economic independence. Financial stability is essential for anyone, but for young adults with disabilities, it can be particularly empowering. A stable income allows you to make decisions based on your desires rather than your limitations. With financial independence, you gain control over your life, making it easier to plan for the future, invest in personal growth, and contribute to your community.

Unlock Entrepreneurial Opportunities

A business background primes you for entrepreneurship, where you can design a business model that specifically accommodates your needs and passions. Entrepreneurship challenges traditional employment barriers, providing the flexibility to innovate and drive change in your chosen field. This not only leads to personal fulfillment but also has the potential to impact others positively, establishing you as a leader and innovator in the business community.

The Power of Effective Networking

In the digital era, the art of in-person networking remains a crucial career builder, especially for young adults with disabilities seeking to break through barriers. Attending industry events and meetings not only bolsters your visibility but also opens doors to tailored opportunities and essential resources. To network effectively, actively engage, follow up with new contacts, and leverage these relationships to align with your professional goals. Despite the conveniences of online connections, face-to-face interactions hold unmatched potential for fostering meaningful collaborations and advancements.

Advocate for Yourself in the Workplace

Navigating the business world enhances your ability to advocate for yourself, an essential skill that ensures you receive the necessary accommodations to succeed. As you advance in your career, mastering self-advocacy allows you to effectively communicate your needs and rights, improving your workplace environment. This proactive approach not only benefits your career development but also serves as a benchmark for inclusivity, promoting a more equitable work culture.

Building Confidence Through Success

Achieving success in a business role boosts confidence and self-esteem, especially for young adults with disabilities who may encounter doubt and discrimination. Each success, big or small, validates your capabilities and contributes to a stronger sense of self-worth. By excelling in your role and exceeding expectations, you challenge and change societal perceptions, showcasing that your talents surpass any perceived limitations. This newfound confidence empowers you to pursue broader goals with vigor and resilience.

Choosing a business career can open doors to numerous opportunities for young adults with disabilities. This field not only values diverse perspectives but also provides the flexibility and support needed to thrive professionally. By stepping into the world of business, you can build a fulfilling career that leverages your unique strengths and contributes to a more inclusive workforce. The path is yours to shape, offering both personal growth and the chance to make a lasting impact.

(Photo credit : Freepik) Join the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa in championing a transformative society that embraces the rights and uniqueness of persons with disabilities across Africa

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Inclusion demands

Create disability and inclusion desk, Newsrooms charged

A commitment to the issue of disability and inclusion is seen when actions correspond with speeches.  A concerted action from every stakeholder will provoke faster acceleration of goals.  Issue of inclusion is everyone’s duty.  Everyone must be positioned to do their parts. The above and other thoughts were shared by faculty and participants at the Disability and inclusion reporting fellowship for Newsrooms in Northern Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory, a project that the centre ran in conjunction with   Africa Foundation for Young Media professionals as part of media initiative project

Cross section of the participants

The project is the second phase of Disability and inclusion reporting fellowship, which has been a yearly project since 2022. If the society must run faster in its inclusive and sustainable society drive, every stakeholder, including the media must be active in pushing the agenda. Media role in behavioural change communication is huge.

The 2-day intensive workshop event in Abuja, which was held between June 12-13, 2024, kick started the 2024 fellowship. The centre’s Executive Director, Yinka Olaito, took participants on the foundation of the course as well as charged them to understand that society can no longer wait. But first, if the media must readily do its work, they need knowledge about the issues they want to communicate.

Yinka Olaito called on Newsrooms to see the need to urgently create a disability and inclusion desk. “Newsrooms cannot stay behind if they truly want a change in societal behaviour. Journalists must be seen to do the right thing as well as lead the change”.

Oluseyi Olufemi, another faculty, on the other hand talked about the value of data in disability and inclusion reporting. He emphasized “data is not just about numbers; it must help the society see its impacts or failure”. Oluseyi demonstrated how data can enhance disability and inclusion reporting without been sensational,

On the second day of the event, Yinka Olaito also charged the participants to embrace learning in the area of appropriate language use. Words are powerful. “Even though the language use in the community is evolving, the more aware reporters are the better for their reportage” Yinka Olaito concluded.

Hannah Olayinka, an accessibility expert, charged participants on the need to embrace international protocol as well as good grasp of various charters of human rights of persons with disabilities entail so they can help cascade these to the rural community.

Adebayo Adebukola on his part challenged the participants to increase their knowledge about building collaboration and partnership for disability and inclusion reporting. While Journalists are supposed to know something about everything, they still need informed experts as sources in creating credible news items that are empowering as well as propel actions from the consumers.

Participants expressed their gratitude to the vent organizers about the new knowledge they just gained and itemised action steps they will be embarking on.

Aisha Shuaibi Baddegi of Citizen FM said “I have gained new insights and will begin to inculcate these in my reporting”. Another participant, Laraba Murrey, a reporter with Abuja Inquirer said “I am so happy to be part of this fellowship this year as I missed the fellowship narrowly last year. I am now better equipped than before and ready to distil this new found knowledge in my reporting”

Duro Maliki shared “I now have a better and informed understanding of disability and Inclusion Reporting. With this new armed knowledge, I see a new direction I should follow as a broadcast journalist with interest in disability and inclusion Reporting”.

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Inclusion in Nigeria

Review disability law, PWDS engagement & promote rights, Ondo PWDs charged govt

Persons with disabilities in Ondo state affirmed the deceased former Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu did a lot to alleviate the challenges faced by different PWDs clusters when compared to previous governors, but the challenges and existing gaps are still obvious remain if the state must ensure global rights and aphorism ‘Equal rights. equal dignity’.

It is very clear gaps still exist in the state between persons with disabilities and those who are not. The gap also varies. For those in urban centres like Akure, many organizations, especially financial institutions are making efforts to ensure life is bearable for PWDs. 

Abiodun Olusegun, chair Ondo JONAPWD chair

Thanks to constant engagement made by the Disability Board members in the state with leaders of this sector. Beyond this, in many cases, rights of PWDs are flagrantly being disobeyed out of ignorance or deliberate act of state actors as well as persons without disabilities especially in rural areas.

The above formed part of the conversations at Ondo state PWDs Stakeholders Policy dialogue organized by the Centre on Thursday February 8, 2024 in Akure Ondo state.

Princess Folasade Arise, Chair, Ondo State Disability Agency Board

The programme, organized in a panel session outlook had Princess Folasade Arise, Ondo State Chairperson, Disability Board, Abiodun Olusegun, Joint Association of Persons with Disability, Ondo State Chair, Busayo Ademeko, Women leader JONAPWD Ondo state and Sola Idowu, JONAPWD secretary-general. Ondo State chapter as panellists. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ekiti state Command PWD desk lead was also present to discuss gender-based violence facing women with disabilities and what the NSCDC is doing to combat this.

Many of the points emphasised at the meeting bothers on education, health, financial inclusion, democratic rights, PWD engagement and need to review existing disability law in the state so as to ensure all its protocols are followed.

Below are some of the issues raised

Below are some of the conversations

Key Recommendations

1-Promote stakeholder engagement to increase accessibility and opportunity for PWD. Few progresses made by the Ondo state Government in terms of employment however there are several other barriers. 

2 Accessibility and assistive technology infrastructures should be improved: roads, bridges and ATM machines not accessible to PWD use.

3-Education-Special schools need urgent attention. Most of the schools lack special needs teachers and infrastructure. It is important that the Ondo state ministry of education be notified. Many textbooks are still in printing form hence many visually-impaired persons are still being left out

4-Health: Many persons with albinism continue to suffer skin cancer and are dying in droves because of their skin texture. Government can help improve production of skin care product that can help

5–Women with Disability of marriageable age suffer stigma and discrimination, increase public orientation and sensitization of the public about disability.

6- Need to strengthen synergy and teamwork among PWD community to accelerate progress in Ondo state

7-Establishment of multi stakeholder’s engagement and dialogue among stakeholders especially those that are hostile to the PWDs in Ondo state such as NUTRW, Health workers etc.

8-Self-awareness and leadership development:  self-awareness and personal grooming literacy programs for girls and women with disability have become highly essential to improve many young women with disabilities self-esteem. This may reduce sexual exploitation and abuse.

9- Democracy and rights to vote: Rights to vote for albinos are being violated as BVAs machines being used by Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) is not allowing this cluster to vote

10. Review or Amendment Ent of Disability law in the state: there is urgent need to review Disability law in Ondo state is outdated and is due for review.

Cross section of Participants

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Inclusion demands

Osun State PWDs, Inclusion Stakeholders Policy Dialogue

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.

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Inclusion in Nigeria

Assistive technology for PWDs in Nigeria, Where are we?

Technology serves as a mainstream which provides many devices, equipment that aid the existence of mankind on earth. With this growth various assistive products and services emerged.  Assistive technology is equipment used to improve the ability of persons with disabilities to participate in education, employment, and live independent and dignified lives.

It serves as an umbrella term covering the systems and services related to the delivery of assistive products and services. As the world is tilting towards assistive technology, Nigeria is not left out. There are 25 million people with disabilities according to WHO which cover 12.5% of the total population as of 2011.

Even before assistive technology came into full-fledged use, there has been wooden walking sticks used by people with physical impairments to aid their movement. This shows the inclusiveness and foresight of Nigeria about assistive technology in putting into consideration people living with disabilities. The federal ministry of health had passed verdict on assistive devices being produced in the world through their publication

Before the advent of assistive technology, there are no ways persons with visual impairment could read or write. They rely on whatever they hear but braille bridged the gap. Today, there are two types of braille; braille equipment and braille slate. The braille equipment translates information appearing on a computer screen to braille by electronically lowering and raising different combinations of pins to produce in braille which appears on a portion of the computer screen.

The most common today is the braille slate which is operated manually. The slate can be metal or plastic, with two plated hinged together on the top or side to hold papers for writing braille. Braille has been adopted even in special schools for the visually impaired and this has increased literacy among the blind.

Eye glasses are said to be the most popular assistive device used by Nigerians.  People wear eye glasses because their vision is flawed. Sometimes, people can stop using it if the vision defect is gone but most times people constantly aid their eyes’ vision clarity.

Lenses are mounted onto the eyeglass frame to help in focusing of the image to help individuals with visual impairment due to long term refractive error. Nigerians term these short sighted and long sighted.

Physical motion impairments have hindered growth of people who have this disability. People who have this disability can stay in a certain position for hours without any change of movement and this often leads to stiffness of the backbone. The provision of a wheelchair has become handy. This is widely used and oftentimes it is given out freely by non-governmental Organizations(NGOs), government and philanthropists. Wheelchairs are for people with limited mobility.

Crutches can also be used as walking aid with elbow, underarm or forearm support and a single shaft fitted with a tip, intended to support balance or weigh bearing through the legs. This is used to give temporary support to anyone that has walking impairments.

After the above, then came the emergence of assistive apps for smartphones and tablets. These have also made it easy for speech to text, sign language interpretation and auditory assistance. These applications are to aid access to information and communication. This allows a person with disabilities to communicate with others easily without a hitch.

In conclusion, assistive technology has been widely accepted in Nigeria and it has served as a way of independence, empowerment and attestation of inclusivity being propagated in Nigeria.

In terms of assistive technology, Nigeria may not be where it should be but it can be said Nigeria is taking its baby steps in making life easier for Persons with Disabilities.  Having said that, Nigeria has a long way to go to meet the global standards.

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Inclusion in Nigeria

Women with disabilities in Nigeria? How strategic empowerment can help?

In Nigeria, despite the level of changes in women empowerment, the nation still has a long way to go. Though we cannot say there is a major drive in this regard to include women with disabilities. It is pertinent to know that empowerment is beyond finance augmentation or poverty alleviation for women. 

It must be a holistic development of women which propels national development.  Having noticed greater dividends associated with women empowerment (a woman with or without disabilities) such as the ability of such individuals to gain a level of independence; government agencies and notable NGOs continue to push this agenda.

Women with disabilities in Nigeria face a myriad of challenges spanning from attitudinal derogation, limited access to education, healthcare and physical barriers. Women with disabilities are often excluded.  They are often segregated and excluded by society. 

If we care for an inclusive society, strategic empowerment for women with disabilities has become important today. The following are vital avenues to empower women with disabilities.

Educational empowerment:

If we truly care about empowering women with disabilities, access to quality education should be at the centre. Education comes in different slices. In Nigeria several ground-breaking steps have to be taken. Education is one of the unwavering means of empowering women with disabilities. More structured, inclusive school adult schools may be required.

Trained special needs educators who are not discriminatory with the right attitude are urgently needed to intensify the empowerment of women with disabilities.

Empowerment through health:

Health is a pivotal trajectory in breaking barriers to inclusion, Health is wealth. Gaps in Women with disabilities health need remain wide. Without good health no one can contribute meaningfully to personal and nation growth,

Inclusive health policy and budgeting should become a priority for Nigeria’s lawmakers to enable women g with disabilities to get adequate care from doctors.

Section 21 of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (DAPDA 2019) should be fully implemented. Women with disabilities must be empowered to seek justice if this is denied them. This also will demand inclusive health workers who have the knowledge and training should be employed to cater for PWDs patients

Capacity building for gainful employment:

Economic independence is the most popular way of empowering an individual. Over the years this has not failed and has yielded indelible results. ‘’Economic disability is the worst level of disability.

Jennifer Ibrahim, Physically challenged poultry business owner, founder of a foundation helping others(PC: Nigeria Guardian)

Having a sense of economic independence is an achievement. It helps in conquering many fears as well as help individuals to demand for his/her rights. An economically disadvantaged person often accepts anything offered to them even though they know they deserve more. “Beggars have no choice”” is a popular mantra. 

Economic empowerment can be through competitive sports skills development, vocational training, business and relationship education. The world has shown Women with disabilities can become global champions through its Paralympic games.

Lucy Ejike, a powerlifter, stands today as a great example of an empowered woman with disability in competitive sport. Ejike has represented Nigeria for about six times in Paralympic sports and won medals. She uses an assistive device for movement due to polio and she also works as sport administrator. 

Lucy-Ejike, Nigeria’s Paralympics powerlifter medal winner(PC: okay.ng)

Vocational training centres should be fully equipped to accommodate women with disabilities. It has been proven for example, persons with intellectual developmental disabilities can breed chickens and ducks, physically-challenged persons with walking impairment can learn knitting etc.

In summary, empowering women with disabilities is not just barrier breaking but also supports inclusive society where every potential is maximized

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Inclusion in Nigeria

How to encourage, improve PWDs involvement in sports and recreational activities

In the vast tapestry of Nigeria’s diverse population, people with disabilities (PWDs) represent a resilient yet underrepresented fraction. While progress has been made in recent years to improve accessibility and inclusivity, there is still much work to be done to ensure that PWDs have equal opportunities to have active and fulfilling lives. Adaptive sports programs and recreational activities are a powerful strategy to break down barriers, fostering not only physical well-being but also social inclusion and empowerment.

PWDs have long been underrepresented and underserved in the sporting sector, and their demands are crucial to rectifying this imbalance. Sporting activities are critical for people with disabilities as they promote physical health, enhance mobility and independence, and provide mental health benefits. Sporting and recreational activities foster social inclusion, boost self-esteem, and offer career opportunities, all while serving as a platform for advocacy and representation.

Sports also bring joy and enjoyment, allowing individuals with disabilities to experience the thrill of competition and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. Ultimately, embracing and promoting sports for people with disabilities is not only about inclusion but also about improving overall quality of life and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

This article explores how the Nigerian government can create adaptive sports programs and recreational activities to encourage the participation of PWDs, highlighting the crucial need for their involvement.

The Power of Adaptive Sports: Adaptive sports, tailored to accommodate various disabilities offer a path to empowerment and inclusivity. These sports not only provide physical benefits but also boost self-esteem and confidence, fostering a sense of belonging within a community. Wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and para-athletics are just a few examples of adaptive sports with the potential to flourish in Nigeria.

Creating Accessible Infrastructure: To facilitate the growth of adaptive sports, Nigerians must invest in accessible infrastructure. Sports facilities, parks, and recreational areas need to be designed with inclusivity in mind. This includes ramps, accessible bathrooms, and appropriate equipment to cater to different disabilities. The government should collaborate with local communities and disability organizations to identify areas where such infrastructure is most needed.

Promoting Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about adaptive sports is crucial to encouraging participation. The government can launch campaigns, host workshops, and partner with schools to educate the public about the benefits of these activities. Additionally, incorporating disability awareness and inclusivity training into school curricula can promote understanding and acceptance from a young age.

Inclusive Sports Initiatives: Establishing inclusive sports programs in schools can be a game-changer. By integrating adaptive sports into physical education curricula, students with and without disabilities can learn and play together. This not only promotes inclusivity but also fosters a culture of acceptance and respect.

Supporting Talent Development: Identifying and nurturing talent among PWDs is vital to creating a competitive adaptive sports scene. Scholarships, training programs, and coaching opportunities should be made available to ensure that talented individuals can excel on the national and international stage.

Community Engagement: Engaging local communities is essential for the sustainability of adaptive sports programs. Organizing local competitions, events, and recreational activities can bring people together and break down stereotypes and prejudices. Additionally, community involvement can help identify and address specific needs and challenges faced by PWDs in different regions of Nigeria.

Creating adaptive sports programs and recreational activities tailored to the needs of PWDs is not just a matter of physical health; it is about fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. The Nigerian government has a unique opportunity to lead the way in promoting empowerment and inclusion for PWDs. Nigeria can break down barriers and ensure that all its citizens have the opportunity to participate fully in the vibrant tapestry of the nation.

As Nigeria takes steps towards a brighter and more inclusive future, let us remember that the true strength of a nation lies in its ability to uplift every member, regardless of their abilities, and celebrate the richness that diversity brings to society. Adaptive sports and recreational activities are the bridge that can lead us to a more inclusive and empowered Nigeria.

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