NCPWD announces inclusive policies ‘to foster better relations with public’

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has announced nine disability inclusive policies to guide the public in their relations with People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.

James Lalu, executive secretary of NCPWD, and Ikem Uchegbulam, director of enforcement, disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of the task team.

They highlighted the key components of the nine policies as enshrined in the 2018 disability law.

Lalu said the policies are expressly stated in part I-IX of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, 2018 (Prohibition) Act.

The section covers the rights of PWDs on accessibility, health, special consideration on queues, certification of disability, equal employment opportunities and education.

“It will interest you to know that if any person contravenes section 26 (1) which talks about queues, the person is liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000 or a term of six months imprisonment or both,” he said.

Patience Ogolo-Dickson, another member of the disability task team and the founder of Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), spoke on women and children living with disabilities.

She said PWDs have as much rights as the next person and should not be discriminated against.

Ahmed Isa, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of human rights radio, said he is optimistic that the situation will improve, given the level of awareness being created by the task team and the operationalisation of the disability law.