Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka
Members of the Disability Community in Anambra State on Wednesday, held a roadshow across parts of Awka, the Anambra State Capital, as part of activities making the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), with the theme, "Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
The roadshow, which say members of the community visit the State light House, which is the seat of power, was to raise consciousness towards the plight of persons with disabilities and the need for their appropriate inclusion in society's scheme of things.
Addressing a press conference after the roadshow at the State office of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, ASDRC in Awka, the Chairman, Barr Chuks Ezewuzie revealed that despite gains recorded, an accessibility audit research of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDA’s in Anambra State, conducted by the State Disability Rights Commission, with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), has shown that persons with disabilities in Anambra State still face face numerous challenges in the state.
These include limited access to public buildings, healthcare, education, economic and employment opportunities, discrimination and stigma, as well as inadequate legal protection.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, ASDRC made the disclosure in a chat with newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, to mark t
Ezewuzie said these challenges come amid the significant milestones recorded by the Commission towards bettering the lot of PWDs in the state.
According to him, Anambra remained the first state in West Africa to have a Permanent Secretary with visual impairment, adding that at some point, the state had three Permanent Secretaries with disabilities serving as the Chief Accounting Officers of their respective Ministries.
He also said Anambra became the first in the Southeast to enact a law which domesticated, as required, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
"Anambra State is also the first in the South East to have a Commission that works daily to provide the much-needed protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
"Anambra State was the first State to appoint a political officeholder with a disability who has both a voice and a vote in the State Executive Council.
"Anambra State knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Therefore, we are proud to celebrate the fact that we are no longer the only State with these inclusive developmental strides for the disability community.
"Other States have followed, Sokoto State (which consulted with us), Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, and most recently, Enugu, all now have disability laws and have made various political appointments benefiting persons with disabilities,” he said.
Attributing the numerous feats to the Commission's unique leadership in the state, Ezewuzie, who is the National Vice-Chairman of the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies (NFDCA), and also the South-East Zonal Coordinator of the board, further hinted that most South-East States have established Disability Commissions to serve the interests of persons with disabilities.
"Anambra State was also the first State to embark on massive employment of persons with disabilities into the civil service workforce.
"The State Disability Rights Commission remains committed to motivating and mobilizing the disability community to key into all programs and projects designed to achieve the solution vision and mission of Mr. Governor to identify and care for persons with disabilities at the kindred level within the 326 political wards of Anambra State.
The ASDRC boss noted that to address the challenges faced by the PWDs, the Commission has plans to promote inclusive education, enforce accessibility standards, provide economic empowerment and advocate for policy change.
"The Commission also has some existing specific plans underway to improve lives of PWDs in the state including the establishment of Access Market Pavilion, Disability Counselling Centre, Liaison Officers, Accessibility Enforcement, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Legal Representation.
"The commission is working to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in all aspects of social, educational, and economic life of the society.
"In spite of the enormous challenges facing the operations of the commission, the impact of these plans on the disability community will be revolutionary and life transforming," Ezewuzie posited.
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