Guardian

• Applaud Lagos State Special People’s Laws

PEOPLE with disabilities recently put to test their capabilities. Right under the gaze of many Lagosians at Shoprite stores in Alausa, Lagos, about 10 “disabled” children from the Child Development Centre (CDC) in Surulere, attended to groceries at the busiest public store in Lagos.

Except for physical disabilities and uniform that singled them out, the task was executed with unusual tact, as if to reaffirm the saying that there is ability in disability.

A customer, Mr. Hakeem Saliu for several minutes watched the scene in amusement. He later told The Guardian that there was nothing “we so-called normal people can do, that they cannot do. Ability is from the inside. That is just the statement they have just made. And they have it,” Saliu said.

A coordinator at the developmental centre, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, said the outing was part of activities to commemorate the 2012 Finding Normal week, themed: Disability confidence, by showing to the public what the special people could do, “given the training and opportunity.”

Also on display for the weeklong event were perfumed candles, beadworks and delectable snacks made by the Tea Breakers Unit at the CDC. Their activities and output indeed amazed people that visited the centre.

Continuing, Emuwa said: “When we accept people with disabilities, give them equal access to education, social amenities and also give them equal opportunities to participate with other citizens, we would be amazed at what they can add to our lives. A society that harnesses all its diversities will be wholesome, happy and prosperous.”

Her words captured the thoughts of stakeholders that commemorated the week, as they lauded the unique initiative of the Lagos State Government in enacting the state’s Special People’s Laws (LSSPL). Under the law, it is now a punishable offence, to discriminate against special people.

Though, it allows for five years transitory period (2011 to 2016), Halimah Ajayi-Akano of State Ministry of Justice said the law was for protection of persons with disabilities, adding “it is now an offense to subject persons with disability to discrimination or abuse in any manner.”

The 36 paragraph legislation was signed into law on June 24, 2011 by Governor Raji Fashola and among other provisions established the disability office, the state’s Persons Living with Disability Fund and facilities for the disabled in public transportation, public building and parking lots.

Other provisions are prohibition from discrimination and harmful treatment, rights of persons with disabilities including free healthcare services in public hospitals, free education, right to employment and participation in cultural recreation and sporting activities among others.

Mrs. Gbemi Bakare of Milestone Foundation International described the law as historic and a model for others states in the country to follow.

Bakare, a U.S. based lawyer and parent to a 21-year-old daughter living with disability, recounted the emotional stress of parenting a child with disability, especially in a society with high level of discrimination.

However, her message was of hope. “Having a child with disability is definitely not going to be easy, but it starts with faith in God and His provisions. With that, coping is already 50 per cent guaranteed. Then, there must your love and admittance that the child is yours,” she said.

Bakare added that the Nigerian society had a long way to go if it must catch up with the level of social acceptance and protection for people with disabilities in more advanced countries, adding that it is now in the hands of stakeholders to relentless push for implementation of the laws to the letters.

General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Dr. Awelenje Babatunde said his office was collaborating with relevant state ministries and agencies for effective harmonization of the provisions.

He urged the media to create more awareness on disabilities, adding that “physically challenge” was too narrow to cover disabilities, which is inclusive of both the physically and intellectually challenged.