Across Nigeria, we have seen People with Disabilities (PWDs) as entrepreneurs, self-employed as artisans and technicians, and teachers at various levels of learning, and they have continued to demonstrate capacity despite their conditions.
In the field of sports, both locally and internationally, this set of Nigerians have brought more medals, especially gold, to the nation than their able-bodied counterparts. Ironically, they get less than they deserve often for their efforts.
Exploring an AI overview, currently in Nigeria, estimates suggest there are between 25 and 35 million people living with disabilities, while globally, approximately 1.3 billion people experience significant disabilities, representing 16 percent of the world’s population. In Nigeria, this translates to roughly 15 percent of the population.
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While available data may not show the precise number of PWDs in Nigeria, data points from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey noted that an estimated 7 percent of household members above the age of five (as well as 9% of those above 60 years) experience some form of difficulty in at least one functional domain.
Sadly, in Nigeria, the employability of PWDs is significantly lower than that of the general population, as they face challenges like discrimination, inaccessible workplaces, and lack of assistive devices. The unemployment rate for PWDs is almost double that of those without disabilities, with some studies showing this gap widening despite legislation.
The talent pool among PWDs is currently being underused, causing significant economic losses, and it is certain that almost every job can be performed by someone with disabilities when given the right environment.
Time and again, superstitious and negative cultural beliefs result in discrimination and mistreatment against persons with disabilities. Stigma and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria lead to their exclusion from society, sometimes. With their biggest barrier being stereotyping – people sometimes stereotype them by assuming their quality of life is poor or that they are unhealthy because of their impairments. This further leads to stigma, prejudice, and discrimination within the society, which stem from people’s ideas related to disability.
Due to this stigma, their unemployment rate pointedly exceeds the general unemployment rate. Article 27 of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others. This includes the opportunity to gain a living by working freely in a labour market.
In Nigeria, specifically, PWDs’ unemployment rates are nearly triple that of the general population, with some studies showing unemployment rates among PWDs as high as 77 percent for those aged 15-24, against the general unemployment rate of about 4.3 percent.
For instance, their lack of access to adequate education and training or to financial resources may be responsible for their exclusion from the labour market.
In addition, misconceptions about their ability to perform jobs are important reasons both for their continued unemployment and if-employed for their exclusion from opportunities in their career. Employers may discriminate against them because of their lack of knowledge about disability or because they do not wish to include them in their workforce.
Meanwhile, the value of purposeful employment to all people is critical as it impacts on well-being, social interaction, economic independence, and happiness. A nation that aims to make more PWDs economically active will put its economy in the right perspective.
Although there are legislations in support of PWDs. President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill into law in 2019. The law prohibits discrimination based on disability and imposes sanctions on those who contravene it. This birthed the establishment of the National Commission for PWD, responsible for ensuring disabled persons have access to education, healthcare, and housing.
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The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs is set up to uphold the rights of the PWDs in the state by safeguarding them against all forms of discrimination and ensuring equal access to opportunities. Some other states have also done something similar, but a forward-looking nation should now be harnessing the abilities embedded in them. As some employers have shown, PWDs are more loyal workers and are time conscious in their deliverables. The various medals they have won for this country in diverse sporting events attest to this.
To harness the abilities of PWDs in Nigeria, it is crucial to address barriers to inclusion, promote education, and create inclusive environments. This involves ensuring accessibility in physical infrastructure, promoting inclusive employment practices, and fostering positive attitudes towards disability. Moreover, empowering PWDs to participate in decision-making and providing them with access to assistive technologies and social support can significantly enhance their abilities and contributions.
Moreover, we all should appreciate the talents of PWDs by focusing on their capabilities, respecting their ideas, showing and giving support for their talents, being amazed at who they are instead of what we see, putting ourselves in their shoes, and providing them fairness and equality in available opportunities.
