Deaf association urges Jonathan to sign disability bill

President Goodluck Jonathan
| credits: File copy

As a condition to support his re-election bid, a coalition of deaf teachers has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the disability bill into law.

The National Assembly passed the bill last year.

The coalition, comprising the Nigeria Deaf Teachers Association, Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, Deaf Voices Coalition and the Lagos State Association of the Deaf, made the appeal in Lagos on Thursday.

The Executive Secretary, DVC, Adewale Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, noted that Nigerians living with disabilities constituted an important electoral population with their numerical strength.

According to him, the bill, when passed into law, is capable of ameliorating the challenges faced by the community in the country.

He said, “Our deafness is cheating us because there is no law protecting us. Other countries, even among developing nations have signed the Disability Bill, which has made their countries more habitable and friendly for persons living with disabilities.

“While appreciating the several initiatives the PWDs have benefited from this tenure, like mass employment into Federal Civil Service of many graduates living with disabilities and others, we strongly request that the bill be signed into law. Nothing other than this will make us happier and we are always ready to support your second-term bid. The six-week extension given by INEC will soon be over. These six weeks can break the record of your six years’ service or tenure if well utilised.”

Adeyanju said the bill would mark, “a turning point in the lives of millions of Nigerians and offer a chance to enhance Nigeria’s economy through the inclusion of people with disabilities, while also upholding Nigeria’s obligation under international law.’’

He also decried the “social ostracisation” of the deaf by the society and the political class, saying it took some time before information on the election postponement got to the deaf community.

The President, Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, urged the wife of the president, Patience, to help facilitate the signing of the bill.

She added, “We are only paying lip-service to the issue of inclusion. Where is the inclusion? Now is the time to sign the bill and include all Nigerians living with disabilities. When I go to the polling station, I will cast my vote the same way as hearing persons. But where is the inclusiveness? We are mothers, wives and we have homes. Our voices must count,’’ she declared.