By Mary Agidi

“A society is considered civilised by how its vulnerable groups are treated and cared for. Civilization is measured by the policies and measures put in place to cater for the less privileged in any given society. If human rights laws are well implemented, no group will be left behind in accessing basic life needs.”

This formed part of the resolutions at a public dialogue meeting and presentation of reports on Accessible Healthcare and Inclusive Social Protection for Persons With Disabilities, in Ondo State.

The gathering featured representatives from government ministries of Health, Budget and Economic Planning, Women Affairs, as well as Civil Society Organisations, security agencies, the Law Commission, the State Operating and Coordinating Unit (SOCU) of Social Protection Programmes, and associations of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

The dialogue, which included a presentation of assessment findings on the level of healthcare and social protection accessibility for PWDs in Ondo State, was facilitated by Disability Not A Barrier Initiative, that conducted a research among different categories of PWDs in Ondo State, as earlier  carried out across all Southwest states of Nigeria, including Kwara State.

Findings revealed that a lack of assistive technologies in hospitals has hindered many PWDs from accessing healthcare services, alongside the non-availability of sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired.

The report, presented by the Project Research Consultant, Mr. Martin-Mary Falana, revealed that over half of PWDs face limited or inconsistent access to healthcare due to infrastructural deficiencies, lack of disability-inclusive policies, insufficient trained medical personnel for disability-specific care, and long travel distances to health facilities. It called for the decentralisation of healthcare services to ensure equitable access.

The findings also showed that only 38.8% of PWDs had partial access to healthcare, while 57.9% faced physical barriers such as lack of signage, ramps, disability-friendly stairs  and restrooms.

Regarding social protection, 64.5% of respondents stated they were unaware of any social protection programmes for PWDs in the state, while 75% had never benefited from financial support, disability grants or vocational training. This was attributed to poor information dissemination, inadequate outreach, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Meanwhile, analysing social protection interventions implemented by past and present governments in Ondo State, the chairperson of the State Agency for the Welfare of Persons With Disabilities, Princess Folasade Arise, revealed that PWDs are now beneficiaries of free health insurance under the current administration.

The executor of the research, Mr. Funso Olajide, stated that the project aimed to foster collaboration with the government to improve the well-being of PWDs. This aligns with the focus of the Disability Rights Fund, which sponsors such initiatives globally. He lamented the Nigerian government’s non-compliance with the provisions of the National Disability Law and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), noting that the findings would help review Ondo State’s existing disability policy to align with international standards. He affirmed that this intervention had already supported states like Ekiti in enacting globally acceptable disability laws, and now committed to achieving same in Ondo.

In their responses, stakeholders identified lack of funding, insufficient personnel, lack of specially trained staff in hospitals, and the absence of disability-focused social protection programmes as reasons for the unintentional exclusion of PWDs from these services.

The State Focal Person for SOCU, Mr. Bankole Olaoluwa, advocated for a special social protection scheme for PWDs, noting that the existing programme gives equal attention to all vulnerable groups in the social register without specific focus. According to him, a society is considered civilised by how it treats and cares for its vulnerable groups. He further recommended the involvement of PWDs in decision-making processes to ensure inclusive participation.

A representative of the CSOs, Mr. Alo Martins, expressed readiness to collaborate in championing the cause of PWDs in the state. He advised synergy between stakeholders and PWD groups to design programmes that would enhance the living standards of PWDs in alignment with international disability laws.

Also speaking, the representative of the State’s Law Commission, Mr. Ogunnowo Oloruntosin, opined that if individuals empathised with PWDs, there would be no need to agitate for legal frameworks for their protection. According to him, effective implementation of existing human rights laws would automatically ensure the protection of PWDs’ rights. He expressed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the disability legal framework, once enacted in Ondo State, would be effectively implemented, with perpetrators of violence against PWDs duly sanctioned.

Stakeholders recommended reforms in accessibility standards through the enforcement of inclusive healthcare policies, an inclusive educational system, and anti-discrimination laws. They expressed readiness to collaborate in advancing the rights of PWDs through the enactment of a legal framework and the provision of inclusive services in Ondo State.

Demonstrating its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for PWDs, Disability Not A Barrier Initiative organsed basic sign language training for duty bearers in Ondo State, with plans to extend the training to healthcare providers. This addresses one of the key barriers to healthcare access for the hearing impaired.

Meanwhile, African countries are generally known for failing to provide an enabling environment for PWDs, often subjecting them to poor living conditions. Discrimination against PWDs persists across various sectors, especially when compared  with developed countries.

For instance, in New Zealand, weekly income allowance limits for PWDs range from $843.78 for a single person to $1,256.07 for a couple, according to Work and Income. In the US, disability benefits can reach up to $2,017.49 per month for a veteran with a 70% disability rating and dependents. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments average between $1,300 and $1,600 per month. Also in the UK, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) rates range from £29.20 to £110.40 per week.

Only a few African countries have formulated and sincerely implemented disability laws and policies. Ghana is one of them. The Ghanaian disability law framework established a disability fund and provides social welfare programmes to support PWDs. PWDs in the country benefit from the National Disability Allowance, a monthly cash transfer aimed at improving their livelihoods. Known as the Disability Fund, it was established in 2005 and is sourced from 3% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), which is an intergovernmental transfer from the central government.

Additionally, the National Union of Workers with Disability in Ghana secured transport and guide allowances for its members through advocacy and sustained pressure on the government.

Ghana’s disability policy emphasizes the use of disaggregated data on PWDs. This supports the suggestion by the Ondo State Focal Person for SOCU, who encouraged PWD associations to intensify advocacy efforts for a national social protection scheme and the collection of disaggregated data.

According to the Women Leader of the Association of Albinos in Ondo State, Mrs. Busola Ademeko, the group continues to lose members to skin cancer due to the lack of skin specialists and unaffordable skincare products. She lamented that about three members are currently bedridden due to skin cancer, adding that the association now relies on internal donations for their treatment. Her revelation underscores the weak and ineffective implementation of Nigeria’s National Disability Law.