The Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, Anambra State Chapter has celebrated the fourth anniversary of Disability Rights Law (2018) and recounted success stories since its creation as well as evaluating their efforts in seeking the change they desired.
According to the members of the disability community, they are often marginalized and segregated against in the society and sometimes largely excluded from participating in community development, education and training, health services, and even in marriage and employment opportunities until the enactment and domestication of the Disability Rights Law.
They disclosed that it took six years of relentless efforts to actualize the legislation which now protects the rights of persons with disability in the state.
They recalled that on 13th September, 2018, Anambra State of House Assembly passed the Disability Rights Bill into law and was assented to immediately by the then Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
In an address at the event , the Chairman, JONAPWD Anambra Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, underscored strategic points that led to their success stories which include massive awareness and enlightenment through live radio and television programmes, training, and advocacy engagements for leaders at state and local government levels, building their capacity on power mapping, transparency and prudent management of resources from various development partners and JONAPWD partnership with civil society organisations, faith based organizations and the media in Anambra State.
Comrade Okeke stated that despite the success stories, they are still faced with lack of funds to embark on improved mass awareness projects, inaccessibility of public structures, subjecting members to stand in queues when seeking for social services and refusal of motorists to stop members in a place that will be easier for them to continue their journey.
Comrade Okeke noted that, however, they have been able, through their various engagements, to achieve the construction of ramps at Nnewi North and Ihiala Local Government Areas where their members are having their monthly meeting, appointments of Disability Desk Officers at the National Human Rights Commission Anambra, increase in numbers of persons with disability, and celebration of marriages of members.
He appreciated the efforts of the present administration led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo towards a greater goodwill to persons with disabilities who he said have excellent results in-service delivery and requested that resourceful Anambra persons with Disability should be brought into positions of policy formulation and implementation.
The event has the theme “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World.”
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