Living beyond disability

In this report, DOYIN ADEOYE write that though many people with disabilities are not living their dreams due to socioeconomic and political barriers, there are yet many others who have surmounted these obstacles to live the lives they have always hoped for.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 15 per cent of the world’s population, which is over one billion people, have some form of disability, with the vast majority living in the poorest communities in low and middle-income countries, where poverty is both a cause and a consequence of disability.

With the ageing populations and increasing chronic health conditions, the rates of disability are increasing globally, while People with Disabilities (PWDs) continue to face various challenges. From lack of access to education, healthcare, transportation, jobs and other basic amenities, many PWDs are often faced with discrimination and stigmatisation.

Since 1992, every 3rd December has been used to celebrate the United Nations' (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities to draw attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities. The annual event focuses on encouraging a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people.

With an estimated 25 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria, it is therefore important to continue to raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, social and cultural.

Having the theme ‘Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want,’ this year’s edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities reflected the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.

Speaking with the reporter, former Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Physically Challenged Matters, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, noted that it is pathetic that achieving these goals is a mere mirage in the Nigerian context.

“Although the Nigerian government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), it is pathetic that it has not done anything as regards this to give it any credit. They only signed it because other countries did; there is obviously nothing to show for it, as Nigeria does not have any law that bothers on people living with disabilities.

“The Disability Bill which is supposed to protect the rights of children, women and PWDs generally has gone through three past presidents, right from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era and was never passed to law. It went through President Jonathan twice, both when he was acting president and president, and he didn’t sign it either, saying that the financial implication was too much for the country to bear. I was a delegate during the last national conference and we passed over 118 resolutions that bother on PWDs and their families, yet nothing has been done on that so far,” he said.

Without the appropriate laws, the plights of PWDs are further aggravated, while they are forced to live on the margins of the society. Despite agitations from individuals, advocacy groups and development partners across the country to ensure that their economic, social, educational, emotional and psychological rights are respected, only a few states have reference to disability matters in their ministries.

Although the Bill again recently went through both Houses of the current administration, PWDs are still however, waiting anxiously for the day the Disability Bill will be passed to Law.

The Disability Bill provides the social protection of persons with disabilities against any discrimination that they may suffer from. It also establishes a National Commission for the disabled persons that will ensure their right to education, healthcare, social, economic, and civil rights as contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, Mr David O. Anyaele, through a statement to mark this year’s edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, said that “We are worried that only few states in Nigeria: Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, Plateau and Bauchi, have passed the disability law, which is a legal framework that protects citizens with disabilities from exclusion and discrimination on the grounds of disabilities.

“Although Nigeria had signed the United Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including its optional protocols, the SDGs will not be achieved if state and none state actors continue to discriminate, isolate and marginalise over 25 million Nigerians with disabilities in planning and implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria,” he said.

Adekanmbi, who is a blind trained lawyer and Executive Director, Disability Empowerment Solution, further said that “one of the cardinal objectives of the SDGs is to give access to all. But unfortunately, having access in all facets for persons living with disabilities seems unattainable in Nigeria.

“Of all the banks in Nigeria, only the GTBank has ramps at its branches where those on wheelchairs could use, unlike many other banks, where PWDs do not have access to the banking hall. In terms of education, many universities are not conducive for PWDs. Imagine someone on a wheelchair having lectures on the third floor of a building, where there are no elevators. Many have to rely on their colleagues to carry them up the stairs to lecture halls.

“Many local airports do not have aid for disabled persons, and most times have to carry a disabled person into the aircraft. The walkways on the roads are inaccessible for us, and everything is not just right.

“We have many married women living with disabilities, but how many of them can access our market places? Talking about access to healthcare for instance, many hospitals do not have sign language interpreters to relay what the doctors or nurses are saying to deaf patients for example. So imagine if a deaf pregnant woman visits the clinic for her antenatal, how is she supposed to communicate?

“This issue also persists at the judiciary level. I am a trained lawyer, but I cannot practise in this country because our law reports are not in Braille. And of course, the level of involvement of PWDs in government is not encouraging. So the Nigerian government is far behind when it comes to ensuring the rights of PWDs. Our neighbouring country, Ghana has all these things put in place,” he lamented.

Son of former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and the founder, Debola Daniel Foundation, Adebola Daniel, who is confined to the wheelchair himself, also noted that compared to many other countries, Nigeria lacks the key factors necessary for the good living of PWDs.

“Nigeria lacks a couple of key things. First is the accessibility of all government buildings and places of leisure. We also lack a truly accessible transportation system. And most importantly, the mindset towards disability is still very flawed, as many people look at disability as a charity issue and not a social issue.”

In the same vein, weightlifting Paralympics world record holder, Yakubu Adesokan also noted that there is indeed room for improvement by the government on rights of PWDs.

“The standard of living of PWDs has indeed not been encouraging. For instance, in the area of transportation, it will shock you to know that while PWDs in many other countries use public transportations free of charge, the reverse is the case here. In fact, transportation is even more expensive for PWDs in Nigeria. To avoid waiting for hours at bus stops because many commercial drivers refuse to carry them, many are forced to charter cabs. So where another person would spend only N200 on transportation, be rest assured that a disabled person would spend at least N1000, which is not supposed to be. So there are so many other areas like that need to be looked into,” Adesokan said.

The major clamour from many PWDs is having their rights respected, because as long as the society excludes them, reaching their full potential and opportunities they deserve will be gruelling.

“How many banks have you walked into and see a disabled person working there? How many disabled persons have offices in politics? How many investors can invest in a disabled entrepreneur? How many disabled persons are heading top parastatals or companies in Nigeria? How many disabled persons do you see on TV as newscasters? If you answer these questions with genuinely, then you will realise that we are greatly marginalised.

“And mind you, it is not as if we are not qualified, it is just because no one will consider you for such positions. And that is why many PWDs resolve to skill acquisitions as no corporate organisation is ready to employ us. I am a graduate for example, but I here I am running my own small business,” Seun Salami, a disabled entrepreneur said.

With the current unemployment rate in the country, the most hardly hit are PWDs. Despite their education, many struggle with landing a job in their field, as many employers do not look beyond their disabilities, to see the talents and capabilities in the qualified candidates. This is simply because they assume that employing them is a burden for reasons that don’t bear out in reality.

They are often overlooked in business and professional environments, and these among others are the major misconceptions many people have towards PWDs. And perhaps the reason the discrimination persists is as a result of these misconceptions.

Reacting to this, Oyo State Chairman, Association of People of People Living With Disabilities (APLWD), Afeez Olalekan Yusuff said it is pathetic that “many believe that disability is contagious, especially in our society. No one wants to marry a disabled person, because they feel they will be a burden to them, which is not true. Once many disabled persons are used to an environment, they can take care of themselves.”

Paralympics world record holder in the female weightlifting category, Esther Oyema, noted that these misconceptions serve as major setbacks for PWDs.

“The major thing that we clamour for is to be treated just like every other person in every sense of life. Many of us are well educated, but no matter how well you do at a job interview, they won’t give you the job because of the disability. People need to understand that there is more to a physically challenged person than the disability,” she said.

While many often resolve to street begging for their livelihood, Yusuff said parents should be blamed for this.

“This has nothing to do with the government, but rather parents and guardians. Gone are the days when we schooled in the 80s and there are only a few disability schools. In fact, I didn’t attend a special school. But now, there are many of such schools around and some are even free to attend. So it is up to the parent to look beyond the disability and give the child the right to education.”

Buttressing this, Adesokan said the fight for dignity for PWDs lies with every individual.

“It is sad that some have the impression that they can only survive on begging. So when I see people like this, I often advice them because as a physically challenged person, one can be anything and with so much focus and determination, a lot can be achieved.”

Giving the same advice, Oyema said “PWDs should never let their disabilities weigh them down. I looked beyond my disability and strived to be the best in I do; I am into sports and today, I am a world record holder. So I always tell most of my physically challenged friends to keep doing their best. Even if you are not educated, learn a skill and stop waiting for people to come to your aid. This lies on us and we need to do this together,” she said.

Considering the challenges that PWDs face, it is therefore vital that the country works to mainstream disability across all development sectors. However, probably with the inclusion of two aids, the Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistant on Disability Matters in the current administration, there will be headway.

However, to Adekanmbi, “even though President Muhammadu Buhari appointed people to these two offices. The question is are they part of us? They should put round pegs in round holes, not just anyone from their end. In fact we do not need a Special Assistant, what we need is to be given our own ministry or commission. Lagos State Government for instance has the Lagos State Office for Disability Affair (LASODA), which is functioning really well.

“PWDs in Lagos don’t have to queue in banks or bus stops. Once you have LASODA’s identity card, the Lagos State transportation is free for PWDs. Plateau State also passed a law on disability, but it is not as functioning as that of Lagos. So if Lagos can do that, then others can emulate them,” he said.

For Debola Daniel, he said, “I believe the government can actually start by considering appointing more disabled people into the cabinet. In our push to get women more recognised, we fought hard to make sure that no cabinet was complete without a woman to at least bring a different perspective to things. This sort of perspective can be provided by a disabled citizen on disabled matters.

“Government can also do more to enforce already existing laws that govern accessibility in public places and finally, I believe government should work towards equality of opportunity for disabled citizens not equality of outcome.”

In his words for the government, Yusuff said “disability is a global issue and it is high time we admitted that. There is need for awareness at all levels, as it is unfortunate that issues relating to PWDs in Nigeria are handled with levity. There is need for the government and stakeholders to have a roundtable meeting on how PWDs can be fully integrated into the development sector.”