Hearing-Impaired persons in Taraba State have appealed to the state government for increased support. The appeal came, yesterday, during a notable gathering marking the International Week of the Deaf.

Led by Ishola Abraham, the state chairman, the group made a resounding call for the creation of job opportunities tailored for hearing-impaired graduates across the state.

According to the group, the plea is to ensure self-reliance, emphasising the potential contributions the deaf could make to the overall growth of society.

In addition to job opportunities, the group fervently called for the inclusion of deaf individuals by society, government and compassionate Nigerians in different activities they could undertake.

Abraham shed light on the challenges facing the deaf community, citing insufficient funds and a lack of societal care as significant hurdles. Despite these obstacles, he lauded the unity and commitment of the community, highlighting their financial contributions that made the event possible.

He underscored the pressing need for enhanced support in crucial areas, particularly education. Pointing to the Special Education Centre in Mutum-Biyu, Local Council, he urged the state government to address issues such as insufficient feeding and dearth of teachers to ensure the well-being and education of hearing-impaired students.

In a plea for awareness, Abraham urged individuals in authority and the general public to consider Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in their interactions. He stressed the urgency of reducing discrimination, communication barriers, and limited access to education for the deaf community.