PWDs seek special allowance to ease challenges

The National Civil Servants Association of Persons with Disabilities (NCSAPWDs) has appealed to the Federal Government to provide disability allowance to ease difficulties associated with buying aid materials.

A member of the association, Dr. Samuel Eny-Ebifa, made the appeal in Abuja at a workshop on disability organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in commemoration of the International Day for Persons With Disability (PWD).

According to Eny-Ebifa, PWDs have special challenges and require certain equipment to aid them, such as wheelchairs, Braille machines, walking stick,s and computer software, which are usually very expensive and not easily affordable for people with disability.

He said: “A person who lost some of the ability or use of some organs of the body is disabled and this makes our living more difficult than that of a normal person when it comes to accessing certain services and support. This is why we are appealing for a special disability allowance that will go a long way to cushion some of the expenses that we make due to our special needs.”

According to him, “a disability allowance may seem unnecessary but it will go a long way to ease major challenges associated with inclusivity, accessibility, and accommodation in terms of a better environment devoid of physical and invisible obstacles to basic human needs.”

Eny-Ebifa urged society to accept PWDs as normal human beings facing certain challenges despite their special needs, and not to be viewed as misfits.

The Director of Human Resources and Management of the ministry, Mrs. Osunkoya Olufunke, urged Nigerians to give people with disabilities their rightful place in society by making a conscious effort to provide for their needs.

“The Federal Government, on its part, will continue to give PWDs their rightful place because people with special needs deserve to be treated just like everyone else.”

Convener of the event, Daniel Isiuwe, said: “life as a person with a disability is quite challenging but all those can be overcome if the public is made to understand that apart from their challenge, they are just like everyone and deserve equal opportunities and treatment.”