By: IndyPress News Desk

The Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan on Friday 6th December 2024 joined the world to celebrate persons with disabilities, an annual event that takes place on the 3rd of December of every year.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, represented by Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor M. O. Ogundokun said the occasion was to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Vice-chancellor said the day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of promoting inclusivity, equality, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities worldwide.

According to Professor Ogundokun, “disability is an integral part of human diversity saying that approximately 1 billion people, or 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability.”

He stated that despite progress made in recent years, individuals with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure, discriminatory attitudes, and limited access to education, employment, and healthcare.

He charged society to reaffirm commitment to creating a world that is inclusive, equitable, and just for all. A world where individuals with disabilities can thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential.

He called for the promotion of accessibility and inclusivity in all public spaces, transportation, services, support education, and employment initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities.

Professor Ogundokun advocated policies and laws that protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and also foster a culture of acceptance, respect, and inclusion, challenging discriminatory attitudes and behaviours.

He also sought collective responsibility to ensure that the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with disabilities are respected and protected.

The Guest Speaker at the occasion, an alumna of UI and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Kwara State University, Ilorin, Professor Olubukola C. Dada stressed that there is ability in every disability.

In her lecture titled “Transformative Solution to Disability Inclusive Development in Nigeria,” she stated that every human being has one disability or the other.

She identified various types of disability such as vision disability, hearing disability/impairment, cognitive/intellectual disability, mobility disability, social health disability, physical, and mental health disability.

According to Professor Dada, the inclusion of people with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to those of their peers who do not have a disability is disability inclusion adding that it requires making sure that adequate policies and practices are in effect in a community or organisation.

She identified four pillars to transformative development as educational development, economic inclusion and empowerment, comprehensive accessibility and legal and policy transformation.

Professor Dada stated that the challenges of disability inclusion include inaccessible infrastructure, lack of awareness and training, economic barriers, and health disparities.

She suggested policy and legal framework, accessibility, inclusive education, and social inclusion as transformative solutions to inclusive development in Nigeria.

The Head, Department of Special Education, Professor A. F. Komolafe said the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is celebrated to encourage, support, and remind persons with disabilities that they are not alone.

He stated that the celebration would help to showcase the love of the Department for persons with disabilities with a hope for a future where such persons will not be criticized nor segregated.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Professor J. A. Ademokoya stated that the United Nations had set aside the 3rd of December every year as the day for celebrating persons with disabilities.

He said he looks forward to an inclusive society devoid of segregation, exclusion, and a society without discrimination.

The celebration of the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities featured performances by the special needs children, goodwill messages, presentation of awards, cutting of celebration cake, playing of games and competitions among the special needs children.

Credit: UI Directorate of Public Communication