Group to Empower 500 Disabled Persons In Abia

At least 500 disabled persons in Abia will be empowered under a tripartite agreement among MTN Foundation, Independent Living for People with Disability (ILP) and the Abia government.

Mr Chika Odoemelam, the ILP Field Officer, told newsmen in Umuahia, on Friday, that the exercise, which would last for 10 days, was going on simultaneously in 12 states.

He said the project was part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility to the vulnerable.

According to him,’’through this project, we are projecting to the public that if these people can be helped, they can be of use and lead a normal life’’.

Odoemelam said that under the agreement, the group would tour all the local government areas in the state and ask the disabled questions to appreciate their problems.

The officer said it was after the exercise that they would receive various forms of empowerment.

He said that those that had hearing impairment and visual problems would be tested to determine the level of their impairment.

He said that Braille machines, Braille wrist watches and guide canes would be distributed to those who needed them.

He also said that the group would distribute tricycles, crutches and walking sticks to those in need of them.

“We have more than 400 of such gifts depending on the need of the people involved and for those that have hearing impairment our doctor would provide free mold hearing aide for them,’’ he said.