NAEC ADVOCATES FOR STRONGER MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT DISABILITY ACT
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Association for Exceptional Children (NAEC) has called on the Federal Government to strengthen the implementation of existing disability laws and policies to improve access, inclusion, and participation for persons with disabilities across the country.
In an interview with journalist on the sidelines of the association’s commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, NAEC’s Executive Officer for Disability Inclusion and Implementation, Mr. Kalu Eke, emphasized that Nigeria has several disability-related frameworks, including the National Inclusive Policy, the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, and an emerging Disability Health Inclusive Policy.
However, Eke noted that the challenge lies not in the availability of legislation and policies but in poor political will for implementation, with government agencies implementing less than five per cent of the provisions.
“Persons with disabilities still face architectural barriers in schools, offices, and public spaces. What we need now is enforcement,” Eke said, urging the government to introduce stricter measures against agencies and individuals who violate disability laws.
NAEC’s National President, Prof. Julius Ademokoya, emphasized that disability should not be viewed as incapacity, citing global examples of high achievers, including former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and physicist Stephen Hawking.
The association is calling for collaboration among parents, community leaders, professionals, and government agencies to ensure practical implementation of disability policies, moving away from segregating persons with disabilities and creating inclusive societies.
“The parents, families, and communities also have roles to play in eliminating discrimination and in supporting inclusive environments,” Ademokoya said.
