The National Human Rights Commission has called on the Federal Government to mainstream the interest of people living with disability into the National Development Plans (NDP).
Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission made the call on Friday in a statement in commemoration of the international day of persons with disabilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that it is a day set aside by the United Nation to bring to the fore the challenges faced by person’s with special needs.
“This year’s theme focuses on ‘ ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world.
NAN also reports that the theme is geared towards promoting the importance of inclusion and accessibility in every sphere.
“The National Human Rights Commission uses this opportunity to call on the government to ensure that interests of people living with disability are mainstreamed into the newly approved the NDP 2021 to 2025 to ensure inclusiveness and that no one is left behind.
“In this COVID-19 era, the term ‘new normal’ connotes the changes in societal/human behaviour post COVID.
“We therefore call on the society to embrace the inclusion of disability in all spaces,” he said.
Ojukwu stated that while recognising the new normal Post COVID to eliminate old societal/behavioural practices inimical to health; disability inclusion therefore would also eliminate discriminatory practices that were barriers to mainstreaming disability.
“The resultant effects of post COVID-19 world will be an increased use of ICT to work from home and in banking, shopping, education among others; which promotes the maintenance of social distancing.
” For Persons with disabilities to function in the post COVID-19 world, the Commission is therefore emphasising the importance of disability inclusion by calling for equal space in decision making, politics, sports, leadership, ICT, etc.
” Also, by creating an accessible environment and structures in providing sign language interpreters, ramps, brail signage, lifts, Digital Accessibility Tools for e-inclusion such as electronic brail, etc,” he stated.
He therefore, enjoined both the public and private sectors to ensure full implementation of and adherence to legal frame works and policies put in place to promote accessibility and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the workplace.
The commission also wished all disability community, happy celebration.
NAN reports that the NDP takes over the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
The new plan has an investment size of N348.7 trillion to be contributed by the federal and state governments as well as the private sector.
NAN reports that the plan was structured on economic growth and development, infrastructure, public administration, human capital, social and regional development.
She said for the investment size, the public sector would contribute N49.7 trillion, while the private sector would chip in N298.3 trillion.(NAN)
