Persons with disabilities want Lagos laws enforced

Members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPD), Lagos State, have called on the state government to formulate policies that will make life bearable for Persons With Disabilities, while enforcing the implementation of its already established laws. They made this known at the weekend during the group’s congress.

Some members who spoke to The Guardian listed employment disparity, structural redesigning for easy access to public buildings, mobility with public transport, and guaranteed free healthcare for people living with disabilities, which are all contained in the Lagos State Special People’s Law signed eight years ago.

Miss Rotimi Adedoyin said many members of the body daily face the challenge of an arduous public transportation and the free passage granted to them to use the BRT buses for free is usually not honoured.

“Due to the fact that we are not eligible to pay when using the blue BRT buses, we face various shades of assault by operators who insist persons with disabilities should not only pay, but should also not be accorded the preferential treatment of not being allowed to queue. The Albinos among us even face worse treatment, as people find it hard to classify them as physically challenged persons.”

A man, who simply identified himself as Chuks, said life has been very difficult since he lost his back in a spinal cord injury shortly after gaining admission to the medical school. While adjusting to the reality of his new life by sitting all day on a wheelchair, he said government and humanitarian organisations could assist the body in area of skills empowerment.

The congress also saw the emergence of new leaders for JONAPD in Lagos, with Mrs. Adedoyin Beyioku Alase handing over as chairman to Mr. Adebayo Adebukola, who defeated Mr. Dare Dairo in an election.