National Assembly to prioritise rights of people with disabilities

The National Assembly has assured that legislative measures will be taken to guarantee substantial improvement in the promotion of the rights and privileges of People With Disabilities (PWD).

It said unhindered access to all parts of the National Assembly, currently being enjoyed by PWD, is a practical example of the commitment by the leadership of the legislative institution in promoting such rights.

The Chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Disability Matters, Bashiru Dawodu, said one of the steps being taken to promote the rights and privileges of PWD is encouraging institutions and agencies to adopt such policies.

He disclosed that the recent presentation of an award to a prominent commercial bank in the country is in recognition of friendly banking services for persons with disabilities.

“The National Assembly is conducive for persons with disabilities to access. You can see them in my office, and they got here without stress.”

Representative Dawodu, who represents the Oshodi/Isolo constituency of Lagos State, specifically said PWDs access his office, located on the first floor of the House of Representatives wing, without stress.

He said his committee is committed to ensuring a stress-free environment for the community of persons with disabilities.
Many have argued that the design of the two chambers of the National Assembly is not disability-friendly, despite the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

The law was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018.

Section 4 of the Act requires all public buildings to be accessible to PWDs.

However, the National Assembly had been violating the Act, probably because the authorities did not consider the over 25 million people living with disabilities in the country when designing the chambers 27 years ago.