The Chairman of the Joint
National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPD), Rivers State chapter, Mr. Uhumabe Edima has called on banks in the country to install Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) specifically for the needs of the disabled.
Edima who bared his mind while speaking to our correspondent in an exclusive interview at the weekend in Ahoada said the request was crucial  considering  the fact that most disabled persons could not go into the banking halls or make use of the ATMs as presently built.
He said disabled persons were part and parcel of the society who also engage in banking activities.
“We are part of the society and as such we also bank because we have our little resources in the bank”, he said.
Edima explained  that with most banks having security doors, persons on wheel chairs  and  even those using cruches  are often not allowed access into the banking halls .
According to him, the easiest  way for them to avail themselves of bank services  was through the ATMs but still “no way because the machines are built very high”.
He said a person on wheel chair could not aces the ATM just as the one using cruches would find it difficult to stand in the queue.
The JNAPD boss said using other persons to access funds for members was risky as some of  them have been defrauded.
“People take undue advantage of  our disability to dispossess us of even our cash.
“I know of a case where  a disabled person gave his ATM card to somebody to help him withdraw money.
“At the end it was discovered that  that person transferred  quite a huge amount of money from the disabled person’s account to his own account,” he said.
He further called on the authorities to put in place  structures that would cater for the needs of the disabled  at every  public facility.
In terms of employment for its members, Edima said the union was looking unto the government even as he expressed disappointment on the part of the government.
According to him, during  the 13,000 teachers recruitment exercise, he made a case for his members through the Ministry of Education but nothing came out of it.
“If the government cannot give us  priority what can we say about the private sector that are profit oriented.
He said while the private sector may see disabled persons as not capable of meeting productivity targets, the governments on their parts have no excuse.
“Government first of all is the  first culprit in discriminating  against disabled persons in terms of employment, I must say  he lamented.
On the celebration of International Day for the  disabled that comes up every December 3rd, Edima said the events were  rituals  on the part of government.
He said such invents were laden with speeches, entertainment and empty promises.
He recalled two instances were representative of government left the venue even before the association presented their addresses.
He challenged employers especially government to give physically challenged  persons opportunity and see if they would not represent themselves creditably well.