Persons with Disabilities Call for Amendment to Kwara Disability Law, Demand Access to Rights and Privileges
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kwara State have called for urgent amendments to the Kwara State Disability Law, emphasizing the need for better access to their fundamental rights and privileges.
This demand was made during a Project Trust program, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, held on Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital.
The Disability Law, initially established in 2017 under former Governor AbdulFatai Ahmed, has yet to be fully implemented, leaving many PWDs in the state without the intended benefits.
During the event, Comrade Yusuf Bashir, a representative of the PWD community, urged the Kwara State House of Assembly to establish an Office for Disability Affairs, recommending it be housed under the Office of the Governor. He stressed that this initiative aligns with the National Disability Law (Part VII, Section 31), which places a similar commission under the Presidency.
Bashir presented a comprehensive list of proposed amendments to the Kwara State Disability Law, highlighting key areas:
- Establishment of the Office for Disability Affairs:
- The office should include representatives of PWDs from the three senatorial districts in Kwara.
- It should involve representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, various disability clusters, and relevant state ministries.
- An Executive Secretary, who must be a person with a disability, should lead the office, contrary to the current provision that allows for a non-disabled person with relevant experience.
- Free Medical Treatment:
- The law should guarantee free and continuous medical treatment for PWDs in public health institutions, instead of the current provision for subsidized treatment.
- Educational Support:
- PWDs should be entitled to free tuition at all levels in public educational institutions, as stipulated in the National Disability Act (Part V, Section 17).
- Employment and Political Inclusion:
- Full implementation of the 5% employment quota for PWDs in all sectors.
- Clear provisions to encourage PWD participation in politics, currently absent in the Kwara Disability Law.
In his response, Ishiak Yakub Yaru, Director of Legislative Matters at the Kwara State House of Assembly, assured attendees that the Assembly would prioritize their concerns. He promised to relay the proposals and work toward swift amendments to the law.
The PWD community expressed hope that these changes would lead to greater inclusion and improved quality of life for persons with disabilities in Kwara State.
