Making the Disabled Able

Enabling Ability: A case for disability access

Here is a small check into a less talked about area in Nigeria and in major parts of Africa. It’s called disability access.

How accessible are our schools, offices, public transportation systems. Are they accessible to people with disability. Can a person with disability attend your University, can he fellowship in your church or mosque? I remember some years back in one of the Universities I attended, I had a senior colleague who was on the wheel chair and had to be carried each time she had a lecture on the second or third floors. That’s just one of the so many people who want to live normal lives but our society has made it much more challenging for them or nearly impossible.

Can this serve as a clarion call to all those in position of authority; can this serve as encouragement and advice to architects, builders and construction workers? Can they please consider the rest of us, yes I mean the rest who cannot walk on two legs, or who don’t have two hands, who cannot see with our eyes or who cannot hear like you do. Are the Bank ATM visually impaired friendly, are the government offices wheelchair access friendly, is your house accessible?

The agencies of government that approve buildings should consider this request; it is a very vital factor in promoting equality and eradicating discrimination. Disability is underscored by limitations, the more able we are, the less disabled we become. Public places especially schools must be disability friendly especially with access. Where there are staircases, there must be lifts, elevators, escalators and other means of ensuring people are not limited by their physical challenges.

I believe there is hope when we sweep our little corner, one step at a time and we can become an enviable nation.

Ife Bamidele.