By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
The Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance (CAI4SR) has called for the full and speedy implementation of the Osun State Disability Law to enhance accessibility, mobility and inclusion for persons living with disabilities.
The call was made by the Executive Director of CAI4SR, Mrs. Eni Ayeni, during a media training programme organised by the organisation in partnership with Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) for journalists in Osogbo on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Ayeni stressed the importance of the media in promoting disability rights and advancing public awareness of issues affecting persons with disabilities.
According to her, the training was designed to equip journalists with adequate knowledge of disability rights and the provisions of the Osun State Disability Law, thereby enabling them to report disability-related issues more effectively.
“We are carrying out this training for media professionals and journalists on issues concerning organisations of persons with disabilities and the Disability Law in Osun State,” she said.
Ayeni noted that although the law has been enacted, its effective implementation remains critical to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy the rights and protections guaranteed under the legislation.
She also highlighted some of the environmental and structural barriers that continue to hinder the movement and participation of persons with disabilities in society.
“During our engagements with persons with disabilities, we discovered that many public buildings lack movable ramps and other accessibility features that would make movement easier for them,” she said.
The CAI4SR Executive Director urged citizens and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and holding relevant authorities accountable for implementing disability-friendly policies.
“Rome was not built in a day. The law is still relatively new, and achieving full implementation is not the responsibility of one individual or organisation alone. Whenever people observe shortcomings, they should speak out. Government has played its part by enacting the law, and civil society must also play its role,” she added.
Also speaking, the Head Teacher of the School for Special Needs in Iwo, Mr. Salau Mutiu Abiodun, underscored the need for greater public awareness and family support for persons living with disabilities.
He urged parents and communities to recognise the value and potential of persons with disabilities, noting that every individual is created for a purpose and deserves equal opportunities to thrive.
“Parents and members of the public must work together to ensure that persons with disabilities are given the support they need. If they are neglected, the purpose for which they were created may never be fulfilled,” he said.
Abiodun further stressed the importance of professionalism and empathy among teachers and caregivers, noting that both special education teachers and regular classroom teachers must adhere to established guidelines while carrying out their responsibilities.
He added that sustained advocacy and enlightenment campaigns have encouraged more parents to enrol their children with disabilities in schools, enabling them to enjoy their right to education.
In his presentation, Barrister Oluwafemi Balogun, Principal Officer of the Osun State Human Rights Commission, said public awareness remains one of the major challenges confronting the implementation of the Disability Law.
According to him, many residents are still unaware of the existence and provisions of the law, making media engagement crucial to expanding public knowledge.
“Many people are not yet aware of the Disability Law. That is why this training is important. We want media practitioners to amplify advocacy efforts and increase public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities,” Balogun said.
He also called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to address issues of discrimination and improve accessibility in public spaces.
Balogun specifically identified areas requiring urgent attention, including accessible parking spaces, disability-friendly toilet facilities and improved ease of movement in public buildings and institutions.
The stakeholders agreed that sustained advocacy, public enlightenment and effective implementation of existing laws remain essential to ensuring equal opportunities and social inclusion for persons with disabilities in Osun State.