The Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN), has called on government at all levels to make policies that will enable them to vote candidates of their choice in every election in Nigeria, especially the up-coming 2023 general elections, reports ITREALMS.
They made these calls during their 2022 elections, where new executive members of the association were elected held at Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.
The co-Founder of AIDDN, Adeleke Philip said good laws and policies would help the disabilities to vote candidate of their choice in up-coming general elections, stressing that people should support them to overcome the challenges of barriers to in accessing basic social services and economic opportunities among others.
He also said the association needs support from government, religious institutions, non-governmental organisations, and individuals to enable them to carter for the disabilities.
Philip explained that women and girls with disabilities are at greater risk of suffering physical, sexual and economic abuse than women without disabilities.
“Nigerian adults with disability are literate, while more than 90 per cent of children with disabilities have no access to elementary education therefore they need help and support,” he said.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi, said the disabilities are people living with below intellectual capacity and some of them have physical challenge problems including morbidity, hearing impediment, unable to speak, cerebral palsy, mental health issues among others.
She also said that disabilities need societal support because their parents and family members cannot afford their medical treatment because most of them live with the health conditions for the rest of their lives.
Equally, she said there is need to create more awareness for people living with disabilities because if they are being taken care of they will do well in the society.
The new elected President of the association, Mrs. Omotola Joko, said she will render selfless services to ensure that every member of the association is carried along in the next three years she will be in office.
*Paul Adunwoke/Editor
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