Amputees Seek Implementation Of Disability Rights Law

The Amputee Coalition of Nigeria (ACON), an NGO, has appealed to the Federal Government to fully implement the Disability Rights Law to end stigma and discrimination.
The National Secretary of ACON, Mr George Anwayi, made this appeal in an interview with The Tide’s source in Abuja yesterday.
The source reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had in January signed into law the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, following nine years of advocacy by rights groups and activists.
Anwayi decried the poor implementation of the law, which he attributed to have contributed immensely to the stigma, discrimination, mobility challenge and other plights experienced by the amputees.
He noted that lack of support group, exclusion in government policies and plans to accommodate persons with disabilities, trauma and depression, as well as security challenges, which had increased number of amputees, were problems persons with disabilities are facing.
“If government implements the disability rights law and ensure all its agencies and private organisations comply with the provision of the law, it will go a long way to enhance the lives of people with special abilities.
“This is a matter of human rights. We are not some beggars, but responsible citizens, capable of making major contribution to economic development if given the chance.
“Government must change its mentality and attitude towards people with special abilities.
“We are not to be used to run campaigns to win public sympathy to garner support and get votes, but later discarded like a pie of rag after election, this must stop.
“We are real people with real solutions to national problems, we have a stake in this country,’’ he said.
He underscored the need to stop stigmatising and discriminating persons with special abilities, but rather support and give them an opportunity to exhibit their abilities, despite physical challenges.