Rising from the second Nigeria Diversity and Inclusion Conference, organised by the Nigeria Business Disability Network (NBDN) in Lagos, yesterday, the participants emphasised the need for the private sector to actively tap into the existing opportunities in the disability community, who are their potential and existing customers, as well as active drivers of the value chain.
Themed ‘Disability Inclusion in Corporate Sustainability, the event reorientates employers’ mindsets towards practical solutions that are crucial to building a truly inclusive private sector in the country.
Speaking at the programme, Head, Sustainability, Access Corporation and Chairman, NBDN, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, called for a change in the narrative of the age-long stigmatisation and discrimination against PWDs, noting that there is a need for them to have equal access to opportunities across all sectors.
While pointing out that there has been visible progress in the engagement of PWDs by private sector entities, she reminded corporate organisations of the remarkable individuals, who have, despite their physical challenges, stood out.
She said: “As we unite to drive inclusion, we are inspired by remarkable individuals like Stephen Hawking, who made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology despite his motor neuron disease, and Cobhams Asuquo, a renowned singer and music producer, who has achieved international acclaim despite his visual impairment. Figures like Jake Epelle, who advocates the rights of persons with albinism, and Yinka Ayefele, a successful musician and radio presenter, who uses a wheelchair, remind us that disabilities do not define one’s potential.”
Victor-Laniyan announced the launch of a mobile app to assist the network of PWDs, by recognising them and alerting them to opportunities.
In his address, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability, James Lalu, stated that the integration of PWDs into the corporate sector cannot be achieved without strong legislation.
He appealed to both sectors to consider PWDs, whom he described as important individuals to the development of any nation, observing that they possess the right skills and innovative minds to transform the country.
Equally, Senior Global Advisor, Save the Children International, Toyin Aderemi, lamented the rate of unemployment among PWDs, which she argued, doubled that of able persons.
She pointed out that the barriers facing PWDs have been worsened by the stereotypes and misconceptions employers often have that they are unproductive, expensive and lack requisite knowledge.
In her goodwill address, Senior Programme Officer, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Nigeria Country Office, Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, maintained that private organisations that employ PWDs outperform their contemporaries.
While highlighting the gains that companies stand to benefit from engaging PWDs, she stated: “Companies can gain access to a huge pool of untapped talent and maximise the potential of their workforce. These employees have diverse experiences, including different disabilities, that equip them with different approaches to problem-solving and can increase the company’s capacity for innovation.”
The ILO official noted that for organisations to key into disability inclusion, they must be intentional about their policies and procedures that create an enabling environment for both the disabled and the enabled.
