The Board of Kogi State office for Disability Affairs has developed, adopted and approved minimum Accessibility Standard Code for Kogi State. This development followed a process of consultations, workshops, discussions and input from a wide range of stakeholders which culminated in a Board meeting of Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs on September 5, 2023, where the document was considered and approved.
The above milestone is predicated on the key provisions of Kogi State Disability Law which borders on accessibility of built environment and public spaces. Specifically, Section 24 and 25 of the law provides for Accessible transport system, Section 26 is on reservation of parking lots for persons with disabilities. Section 30 of the law provides for accessible buildings and public spaces. Section 30 (6) empowers the Disability office to provide a building code for the guidance of the populace.
Recall that the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD), with funding and technical support from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), has been undertaking a project in the state titled “Implementation of Kogi State Disability Law, 2021 Regarding Accessible Built Environment.” The project comprises of awareness raising on the new law, accessibility audit of key infrastructures in the state, training of OPDs on the law, training on rights advocacy, press conference and the development of the Accessibility Standard Code for Kogi State.
It is worthy to note that in Kogi State, the built environment poses significant challenges to the free, secure, and independent living of persons with disabilities especially. Public and private facilities, including bus stops, parks, gardens, transportation services, and everyday products, often lack the necessary accessibility features. An accessible built environment for PWDs involves more than just ramps and elevators, it includes a wide range of features, from door widths to floor surfaces, door handles, signage, and auditory signals. To address this issue effectively and enforce the accessibility component of the Disability Law, a practical manual on minimum accessibility standards is crucial to guide public and private institutions in compliance. The manual on minimum accessibility standards is essentially and largely an adoption of the instrument developed under the support of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). This adoption process involved stakeholder consultations, training organized by the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, and approval by the Board of Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs.
This manual sets forth the minimum accessibility standards for the built environment, which must be applied during the design and construction of new buildings and alterations to existing ones to operationalize the Kogi State Disability Law. Nigeria’s commitment to disability rights includes ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to leave no one behind. The passage of Kogi State disability law passed to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the State is in the spirit of the UNCRPD and the SDGs. The implementation of the provisions of the law is subject to a five-year moratorium. This manual aligns with international human rights instruments, making it a mandatory guideline for service providers to follow.
The manual’s goal is to establish minimum universal accessibility standards, serving as a guide for policymakers, lawmakers, practitioners, implementers, and regulators to ensure compliance with the Kogi State Disability Law, 2021. The manual’s objectives include:
- Providing an accessible built environment for all users.
- Offering a tool for measuring universal accessibility.
- Guiding developers, designers, and stakeholders to incorporate accessibility principles in all stages of planning, design, and execution.
- Increasing awareness of accessibility standards and the need for barrier-free design.
The fundamental principle of this manual is “Accessibility for All.” It recognizes that accessibility features are essential to all design concepts and are now becoming a universal requirement.
Stakeholders recognize that while the planning and designing of structures are significant for all, anyone can face barriers at some point in life. Special beneficiaries of this manual include wheelchair users, individuals with limited mobility, those with visual or hearing impairments, elderly persons, pregnant women, individuals with temporary disabilities, children, and those carrying heavy luggage.
In conclusion, the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld, and that this new Accessibility Standard Code is a significant step towards achieving that goal in Kogi State, Nigeria.
About Disability Rights Fund (DRF)
The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) is a global organization that supports the rights of persons with disabilities. Through grants and advocacy efforts, DRF collaborates with disability rights organizations to advance disability inclusion and equality worldwide
