Show love to people living with disabilities – Ambode

The First Lady of Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode, on Thursday called on members of the public to always show love and affection to people living with disabilities as they need peoples’ love affection and empathy and not sympathy.

Ambode spoke in Lagos through the wife of the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Temitope Ayorinde, on the occasion of the 9th International Day for Persons Living with Disabilities in Lagos State.

She explained that people living with disabilities are part of the society and as such members of the public should believe in their abilities to progress and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society.

She said: “It is essential that we reassure people living with disabilities that they are part of the society and to believe in their abilities in order to progress and contribute meaningfully to the society.

“They must never feel rejected or dejected but rather should always see themselves as unique and endowed people.”

Ambode averred that this year’s celebration is aimed at promoting public awareness and mobilizing support on critical issues that are related to the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in the development of the society, adding that parents of children with disabilities should not hide them at home but rather should enroll them at the various special schools and inclusive units in the state.

The wife of the Governor noted that the estimated one billion persons living with disabilities worldwide face many barriers, which prevent them from enjoying access to society on the same footing with non disabled persons.

She said these barriers are most pronounced in the area of employment, transportation, education, social and political engagements among others.

She opined that the right to equitable participation in public life is essential to stable democracy, active citizenship and reduction in inequalities within the society, hence person living with disabilities must be able to fulfill their roles in society and participate on an equal basis with all and sundry.

According to her, it is only through early intervention that effective management of the conditions can commence to the benefits of the special persons and the society.

Ambode, while commending teachers in special schools and inclusive units for their efforts in caring for the children, urged them to remain focused and continue to bring out the best in their pupil/students despite their challenges.

Said she: “I thank all our teachers in the special schools and inclusive units for their efforts at giving care to this special people. I acknowledge that it is indeed a great calling to take up this duty that many would probably have turned down. It is only God that can reward you accordingly.”

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Idiat Adebule, explained that the State Government is determined to make life more meaningful for people with special needs in the state through the promotion of freedom of expression, universal access to information and knowledge and the use of ICT in Inclusive Units and Special Schools, respect for cultural diversity and equal education for all.

According to Adebule, government’s conviction is that there is always ability in disability, which explains the State Government’s policy of employing qualified special persons in the Civil Service.

She said government created vocational centers in all the Special Schools that are duly equipped with needed instructional materials and care-givers to help prepare them vocationally towards economic independence.

She said: “The State Government presently has Five Specials Schools, Thirty-One Inclusive Education Units at Primary Education level and Eleven Inclusive Secondary Schools to provide education and vocation skills for Pupils/Students who are challenged. Government has also been proactive in the area of special persons through the involvement of children and adult with disabilities in development, addressing gender problems in the disability issues, creating enabling environment by removing barriers towards all inclusive society for persons with disabilities.”

Adebule urged well meaning people whom God has blessed to reach out onto the special needs persons in various schools and units as well as join hands with the government to make life more comfortable and meaningful for the special children and adults as they deserve quality living standard and equal educational opportunities.