CSO asks broadcast stations to engage sign language interpreters for PWDs

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) says the media should strive to engage the services of sign language interpreters in their broadcasts and news productions to promote inclusive practices. 

Grace Jerry, IFA executive director, spoke at the presentation of the group’s 2023 elections observation report in Abuja.

She urged the media to conduct voter education that complements the works of organisations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to promote their participation in electoral and political processes.

Jerry called for more data-driven engagements to ensure that Nigeria has an established and proven record of all eligible PWDs voters in the country.

“It is evident that persons with disabilities want to participate in the electoral and political processes of Nigeria as indicated by their participation as both voters and observers during the general election,” she said.

“However, accessibility challenges, stigmas, and stereotypes continue to persist and undermine PWDs’ abilities to participate in electoral and political activities.

“While INEC has taken great strides to improve its priority voting policy and implement voting accommodations, poll officials consistently fail to understand the significance of inclusion or take actions that promote the participation of all groups.

“IFA commends INEC for its commitments and engagement on these topics, but we at IFA are disheartened by the lack of accessible polling units, insufficient deployment of voting materials for voters with disabilities as evidenced by the deployment of the braille ballot guides to only 35 percent of the polling units during the general election.”

Speaking on access to polling units, she said 55 percent of polling units in sampled states were located in open spaces, while 45 percent were located in public buildings.

“Of those polling units including schools, bus stops, markets, court premises, town halls, health centres, etc, 54 percent were found to be inaccessible for voters with disabilities,” she added.