While it is a crime to discriminate or unjustly maltreat a person with disabilities(PWDs), it is a common knowledge, the act is pervasive and majority of such occur daily and are also under reported. The chances of stopping discrimination against PWDs is very slim especially across Nigeria and Africa at large where ignorance of the rights of PWDs are not promoted. Many PWDs do not even know they have rights, This is traceable to the fact that only three percent and one percent of males and females with disabilities respected fully are even educated.

The level of ignorance of existing laws, both at the global, continental, national or state level in Nigeria, of discrimination against persons with disabilities are very high.

Ignorance of the laws is not only limited to PWDs. Majority of individuals, state actors are not even aware. What many believe is that every act toward a PWD is just an act of charity. For instance, right of way when there is a long queue or emergency for PWDs is not a matter of courtesy but a criminal offence which attracts a fine or jail or even both. This fact is not known to people without disabilities.

A bus driver, either private or public, must stop fully to pick or disembark a PWD and should not ask him/her to jump out when the bus is still in motion.

Making a reasonable accommodation for an employee with disabilities so s/he can effectively discharge assigned duties are also fundamental.  So as long as ignorance pervades the system, PWDs are not also empowered to ask for their rights, the society should forget the cry for an inclusive society.

The above forms part of the conversation in this one-hour interview Yinka Olaito, our Executive Director, had on “The Conversation” program by Kaftan Television Abuja, which is aimed at examining existing policy and issues affecting the society.

Readers can listen to this in the link below