Albino Foundation decries discrimination against PWDs, wants inclusion

The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa has embarked on a sensitization exercise against the discrimination against Persons With Disabilities in the public and private sectors.

The event was held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital on facilitated by Dr. Owoade Philip Adeleke, the Foundation also demand inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance in the State.

He noted that discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education, and accommodation among others, are now criminal offenses, citing Disabilities act 2019, and Disability Rights Law.

In his presentation, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF, Jake Epele said the foundation is passionate about Cross River State because of the establishment of a project that speaks with inclusivity in a very important area which the State has done well by embracing the project.

“We’ve developed the guidelines for inclusive election and we are working with the office of the Secretary to the Government and para adventure, we would also work directly with the Governor. He has shown tremendous interest in what we are doing and at the end of the day, we would push and break the seal for inclusivity using this State as a role model.

“When it comes to implementation, the government can produce a framework to implement a particular law. It is the critical stakeholders that implement and that’s why we are walking directly with critical stakeholders and robbing minds with them, exposing them to the best practice when it comes to implementation.”

The State Coordinator, Advocacy for Women With Disability Initiative, Cross River State, Iquo Mkpang, expressed optimism that the government of Governor Bassey Otu will work with disability community; first, by implementing the Disability Bill passed into law by former Governor Ben Ayade.

The interactive session had questions and answers as well as group presentations by participants.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)