Toheeb Babalola
In every democratic society, the governed are always more than the governors. The majority (the governed) decide who governs them and how they want the society to be governed. A predominant feature in many developing countries is the existence of inequity, the impact of which is felt more by a wrong and negative perception of persons living with disabilities(PWDs) and their needs.
Recently,President Tinubu announced palliative measures to cushion effects of petroleum subsidy removal in Nigeria. A total of 5billion each is supposed to go to every state. The details of how it is still hazy. One expects the palliatives’ (as usual, food items and a possible cash support) will also reach PWDs in each state.
However, it should be pushed forward that PWDs communities, which comprise over 29million will not be served sustainably through palliatives of a bag of rice and small cash that may not last a month. First, inclusive community believes seeking their opinion on how and what matters could have been the foundational step if their interest even matters from onset.
The inclusive communities and advocates are calling on President Tinubu to provide an enabling environment for the PWDs to thrive by ensuring that every state ensures proper implementation of inclusion and disabilities bills/acts. This will go a long way in creating a level playground for everyone. Barriers, stereotypes, stigma in the society will be reduced..
Ridwan Fijabi, a mobility impaired Cobbler in Ibadan once maintained government should make inclusive society a reality by ensuring everyone in the society should be as human. Instead of short-term palliatives, Tinubu will do a lot of good for the PWDs community if his administration prioritizes discovering, proper channeling of PWDs potentials for society’s good. This is more empowering as PWDs communities will be able to own and run personal businesses with less dependence on government
For those who will want to sell their skills, an enabling environment will also guarantee a significant number of this 29 Million population can also enjoy decent jobs in different organizations with equal and nondiscriminatory access. As we know disability does not mean lack of ability.
Enabling environment empowers PWDs
Since the enactment of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) decades ago, many PWDs have been elected into public offices in developed countries. Article 29 of the CRPD calls on States to support the right of persons with disabilities “to stand for elections [and] to effectively hold office and perform all public functions at all levels of government”.
Gregory Wayne Abbott, a mobility impaired politician was once elected as the Governor of Texas in the United States of America, USA. Abbott also served as the Attorney General for Texas. Marta Gabriela Michetti, a mobility impaired person was formerly the deputy head of government in Buenos Aires and senator for Buenos Aires, emerged as Vice President in Argentina in 2015.
Cyrus Habib, despite his sight impairment, contested for lieutenant governor of Washington in 2016. Full implementation of the CRPD Act does help.
How developed countries truly empower PWDs
The United States government, through the American Disability Act, ADA, had neutralized the barriers that hampered total participation of the PWDs within the society. Unlike Nigeria and other third world nations, US governments ensure that its Rehabilitation Act which prohibits organizations and employers from denying PWDs an equal opportunity to receive benefits and services at work, is sustained forever. Inclusive employment, public accommodation, transportation and affordable health etc are assured
Also, the current administration led by Biden-Harris has taken significant steps to achieve a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable country for people with disabilities. This also incorporates persons who are experiencing multiple forms of discrimination and bias on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors. Bidden administration is ensuring PWDs Americans are receiving resources and are included in key administrative proposals.
The UK is made up of four nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. British Council in its Equality Act 2010, sees PWDs as those who have physical or mental impairments that have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Through the Equality Act, the British government ensures that there is an absolutely inclusive and enabling environment which is free of stigma and stereotype for the PWDs.
The British government provides benefits and financial support such as disability and sickness allowances for children and adults, vehicle and transport allowances, home and housing allowances, Television license discount, Tax relief and compensation for disabled armed forces. This has made the lives of PWDs worthwhile in the United Kingdom. With Disability Rights into Apprenticeships, the British Council also enrolled millions of people living with different impairments within the kingdom into Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET. UK believed that it is only skill development that can enhance employability and meet the need of the disadvantaged people.
In France, article 114 of the Disability law 2005 is the sole Act that guarantees the inclusive society for PWDs. Since its enactment, the stereotype and stigma towards the PWDs had drastically declined. In an effort to improve their standard of living, the French government increased the monthly allowance for the PWDs to €900, improve their digital accessibility of public services and develop easy-to-read and understand language among other goals in 2018.
So much to say about France’s inclusive employment opportunity too. Beyond this, the French government ensures that all citizens help PWDs on the highways and this has become the norm in France.
Let me conclude this with Germany’s general Equal Treatment Act, 2006 The implementation of this secures inclusive society for the PWDs in Germany. Anyone over 50% disabled is considered as ‘severely disabled’ by the German government. This is also what is called ‘disadvantage compensation’.
PWDs in Germany also have benefits like special medical care, assistance in job hunting or protection from dismissal, a household helper, Support for childcare costs, cost-free use of buses & trains, early retirement and lower taxes from the government. Also, to enhance their mobility, workers with disabilities receive allowances/tax deductions to acquire personal motor vehicles, cost refunds if car pools are used, or free access to public transport.
The above and many examples should serve as the best way to go.
*Toheeb Babalola a journalist and fellow of Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals Disability and Inclusion Reporting sent this in from Ibadan as part of his story requirement as fellow of the project. The project was done in conjunction with Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa
