Abuja -Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) has appealed to the National Assembly to give priority attention to the passage of Disability Bill.
Mrs Helen Beyioku-Alase, Chairperson of the association in the Federal Capital Territory, made the call in an interaction with newsmenin Abuja on Thursday.
“If signed into law, it will eliminate all forms of barriers and lead to improvement in the quality of life of persons with disability.
”It will also put a stop to all forms of institutional, attitudinal and environmental barriers faced by citizens,’’ she said.
The interaction was on the sideline of the second edition of Health Awareness Week organised by the association for the 2015 International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Beyioku-Alase identified discrimination as one of the challenges facing members of the association, and decried the way some translators robbed women with hearing disability.
According to her, philanthropists will say one thing and the translators will say the opposite.
‘’What members of the association need is empowerment; empowering them is like empowering humanity.
“We want the President and National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, to grant accelerated hearing to the Disability Bill and signed it into law.
“We need sponsors to assist some deaf women and girls to acquire education, set up businesses and finance some ventures.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
‘’Our members also need to acquire skills and vocational training that will assist them in becoming self-reliant.
‘’By this, they can make a living and not liability to themselves and society,’’ she said.
Mrs Hauwa Shakarau, Acting Country Director, Ipas, said that the association of NGOs in the country was committed to addressing the plight of its members.
She said that the agency would ensure that people with disability had access to safe services relating to their reproductive health and rights.
“We have realised the importance of putting into focus the needs of women with disabilities; we are starting with the deaf women.
“As resources enable us, we should be able to also include or integrate other women with special needs such as the blind and the physically challenge.
“We are committed to providing services to women with disabilities,’’ Shekarau said. (NAN)