By Ebi Kesiena
National Commission for People With Disability, NCPWD, National Association of the Blind, NAB and International Development Organisation, Sightsavers have collaborated on the need for people with disability across the country to be provided with both teaching and learning materials in accessible format.
This, will enable access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired and print disabled in the country.
At a press conference, in Abuja on Thursday, following the signing into law of the copyright act for the blind person in the country, Executive secretary National Commission for person with disabilities, Mr James David Lalu explained that an all-encompassing education cannot be achieved without providing the necessary materials for learning for disabled persons.
According to Lalu, in determination and commitment to ensure self independence for people with disability, the Commission will continue to make learning aids and materials accessible and will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders.
He also assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to make all relevant printed materials readable to the Blinds.
The ES expressed concern over what he called limitations that people with disability mostly the blind face while studying due to the absence of reading and learning materials which are made in accessible format adding that the visually impaired persons need access to project material in schools in order to promote reading culture amongst them.
Lalu applauded the efforts of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, National Association of the Blind, Sightsavers Nigeria and other stakeholders who have shown commitment to make life easier for the blind, by giving them access to published works adding that the government needs collaborations as it cannot do it all alone.
Furthermore, the Disability boss stated that there were plans to establish a printing press that will afford for publishing of items that will be beneficial to the disabled as he informed that Federal Government has an enormous Printing Press situated in Lagos which will be very instrumental to the conversion of books into readable format for the blind community.
He emphasized that the provision of accessible format will also help restore out-of -school children whose population are mostly Children with disabilities.
“We cannot be discussing inclusive education without referring to the availability of accessible format in our primary and secondary schools” he underpinned.
Lalu equally eulogized President Muhammadu Buhari who despite the economic challenges in Nigeria signed into law the Bill that established the Commission in 2019.
He further reassured that all hands must be on deck to monitor the enforcement of the recent Bill assented to by the President to legalize the convertion of accessible materials for the benefit of the blind at no cost.
Also, the Director General Nigerian copyright commission on his part gave the assurance of provision of adequate learning materials in school adding that the time is apt for the potential of the blind people to be discovered in the country
While the Representative of Sightsavers, Esther Angulu on behalf of Sightsavers, Country Director, Dr Sunday Isiyaku stressed that the disabled community need total freedom to be able to fit into the society.
“We are thrilled to announce that Sightsavers is immensely grateful for the government’s unwavering support and endorsement of the Marrakesh Treaty.
“The Treaty represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to promote greater access for people with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments.
“We are immensely grateful to the President for affixing his signature to the bill, thereby making it an act. With this momentous decision, the creation and sharing of accessible format copies of materials has been simplified.
“This will go a long way in promoting greater cultural participation, education, and social inclusion for people with disabilities.”
Sightsavers added: “We are excited to continue working with the National Association of the Blind, NAB, to initiate the process of implementation. As an organization, Sightsavers is committed to working with both local and international partners to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the society, including education, employment, and community life.
“Once again, we express our profound gratitude to the government for this remarkable decision, and we look forward to the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty for the benefit of people with disabilities across the country.”
