To ensure inclusiveness for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abass, has endorsed the use of sign language during legislative proceedings.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disability, Dr Bashiru Dawodu, made this known at a parley with the disability community in Abuja, aimed at addressing the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

The lawmaker explained that the initiative, which is part of the legacy projects of the speaker, would be implemented soon.
He expressed the readiness of the House of Representatives to amend the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to incorporate the interests of PWDs in the country.

At the event by the Accelerate Disability Inclusion in Emergencies (ADIE) Forum, stakeholders including Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); and Chair, Board of Trustees, Amnesty International Nigeria, canvassed the inclusion of representatives of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the cash transfer initiative and other measures by governments in respect of fuel subsidy removal policy.

They also called on federal, state, and local governments to introduce affordable public transportation system that is accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) beginning in October 2023.

They further called on government at all levels to initiate a stand-alone social protection intervention programmes for PWDs, including establishing reliable database, food banks for equitable distribution of economic palliatives to PWDs.