KADUNA, North-West Nigeria – The National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD) is emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive adjustments to public spaces and facilities across the nation to enhance accessibility for individuals facing mobility challenges.
In a recent press briefing marking the commencement of International Wheelchair Day celebrations in Kaduna on Thursday, 2024, the President of NAPWPD, Rilwan Mohammed Abdullahi, underscored the necessity for both governmental and societal action to facilitate the inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities in community life.
Highlighting key demands, Abdullahi stressed the importance of enacting and localizing disability laws to safeguard the rights of wheelchair users. Additionally, he called for the establishment of minimum accessibility standards to guide the implementation of these laws concerning environmental access.
The association further urged the modification and retrofitting of existing public spaces and facilities to align with relevant accessibility standards and universal design principles. Emphasizing the importance of budgetary allocations for such modifications, NAPWPD urged governments to ensure adherence to building codes and accessibility standards in approving new constructions.
Providing context to the significance of International Wheelchair Day, Abdullahi explained its origins in 2008 and its aim to raise awareness about the transformative impact of wheelchairs on the lives of individuals with mobility limitations. While acknowledging the profound difference wheelchairs make in enhancing functionality, he lamented the inadequate access to wheelchairs for many who need them.
The day, according to Abdullahi, serves as a global platform to advocate for improved accessibility, celebrate the contributions of wheelchairs in empowering individuals, and recognize the invaluable support provided by caregivers and organizations.
In a gesture of appreciation, NAPWPD announced its intention to present a ramp to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, on March 1, 2024, in recognition of their longstanding support to the association.
Supporting NAPWPD’s stance, Hajiya Rakiya Umar, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board, affirmed the board’s commitment to advocating for adherence to building codes and minimum accessibility standards, particularly in public spaces and facilities within the state.
