Succour For Persons Living With Disabilities! -By Michael O. Ogunjobi

Despite the cliché- ‘there is ability in disability’, there are innumerable cultural, political, economic and social barriers that have served to deter full participation of persons with mental or physical disabilities in various gatherings be it in academic circle, sports, arts, business, politics, social events and even religious gatherings, thereby hindering their well-being.

While some are born with physical and mental disabilities, some end up as casualties of a sudden, yet are equally accorded second-class status in our polity. Succinctly, the doctrine of human frailty should make all appreciate that today one may be fit, yet not have the same luxury of agility tomorrow. This buttresses the need to show utmost concern to the needs of the physically and mentally challenged in our society by providing the enabling environment for them to realize their full potentials in all spheres of human endeavour and closing the structural nature of the prevalent gap.

Individuals, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders must in line with their social responsibility ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are considered and incorporated in their dealings to salvage the restricted access of persons with mental or physical disabilities to basic human rights and whatever serves as inhibitions for them achieving something positive in life.

It has been recognized that domestic legislations remain one of the most effective means of facilitating social change and improving the status of disabled persons. Thus, in recognition of Nigeria’s motherhood in Africa, the Nigerian Senate passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2016. There are numerous laudable provisions of the Bill including but not limited to: protection against discrimination of PLWD, easy access to public premises/road/sidewalk, prohibition of use of persons with disabilities to solicit for alms, free education, free healthcare, right to work and employment, right to participation in politics, a National Commission to address complaints of harassment, discrimination and harmful practices amongst others.

Remarkably, Lagos State is at the fore-front of recognizing that there is ability in disability and has a Special People’s Law of 2011 to give PLWD a sense of belonging and had only recently launched a Disability Trust Fund. Happily, in Lagos State, upon registration and issuance with a certificate and badge by the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, there are numerous opportunities such as: free ride for physically-challenged persons on Bus Rapid Transit and LAGBUS, exclusive right to designated parking lots, special consideration for access to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund facility, amongst others.

The Federal Government must be humble to take her cue from Lagos and even exceed the giant strides the United States of America has recorded by virtue of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA), which was introduced on July 26, 1990. Of note, the ADA was bolstered by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Olmstead decision which determined that, under the ADA, people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated. Similarly, the Affordable Care Act tremendously advanced health equity and reduced health care disparities among Americans.

On a final note, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2016, though laudable will only produce the desired result if and only if there is sincere commitment on the part of the populace and the relevant authorities to make life more comfortable for Persons Living with Disabilities. Moreso, establishing an office for Persons with Disabilities in all the local government areas across the federation will aid easy access to benefits coming from corporate organisations and government. The soothing lyrics of the song written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin; first recorded by American country music singer Glen Campbell- “Try A Little Kindness” is apt: You’ve got to try a little kindness/ Yes show a little kindness/Yes shine your light for everyone to see/And if you’ll try a little kindness/And you’ll overlook the blindness/Of the narrow minded people/On the narrow minded streets.

*Michael O. Ogunjobi writes from J & G Attorneys (the Chambers of Norrison Quakers SAN) in Lagos.