Group, govt mark international day of persons with disabilities

• Warns against discrimination

TOmark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a group that included the Human Development Initiatives (HDI) Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and persons with disabilities, with support from Action Aids, yesterday, staged a walk from Allen Avenue Junction on Obafemi Awolowa way to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

They were armed with handbills that chronicle issues around inclusion for persons with disabilities in the society, especially quality inclusive education.

They enlightened residents on the importance of a quality inclusive education and why policy makers and government must work to ensure no child is left behind in terms of education no matter his or her disability.

At the House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja, the group was received by two lawmakers, the House Committee Chairman of Education, Hon. Yinka Ogundinmu and Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Abiodun Tobun. Speaking for the group, Lagos State Chairman, Joint National Association of People Living With Disabilities, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo urged the state assembly to make policy on inclusive education in Lagos State a bill to enable it become a law. He was optimistic that if the policy becomes a law, better budgetary allocation would be made available for inclusive education.

He also urged the executive to ensure that a department was created in the ministry of education for inclusive education, with that issues around inclusive education would be given better attention.

Executive Director, HDI, Mrs. Funsho Owasanoye said the walk meant to celebrate the international day of persons with disabilities, is aimed at drawing the society to the plight of persons with disabilities and that with deliberate efforts all child can be educated.