The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) disclosed that Lagos State emerged as the top performer in implementing infrastructure accessibility and services for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with the National Disabilities Act. Damian Ivom, the CCD Senior Programme Officer, revealed this during the unveiling of the survey report in Abuja.
Conducted between October and November, the survey assessed the implementation of the National Disability Act and UNIDIS criteria by state governments. Lagos, Abia, and Yobe were surveyed to evaluate disability inclusion in their plans, policies, and programmes.
Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the survey aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the Disability Act across the nation. Ivom highlighted the use of a standardised scorecard tool to gauge the inclusivity levels for PWDs nationwide.
The report emphasized Lagos State’s leadership in implementing both UNIDIS criteria and the 2018 National Disability Act, with Abia recording the least implementation.
The survey relied on the “Kobocollect” research tool and a revised standardised scorecard, simplifying the assessment process through a comprehensive four-dimension assessment tool.
CCD’s programme officer underscored Lagos’s exceptional adherence to UNIDIS criteria, particularly in consultations with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), exceeding requirements between 51.11% and 73.33%.
While Lagos showcased remarkable inclusivity, Yobe and Abia exhibited lower adherence to UNIDIS criteria, indicating opportunities for improvement.
Ivom stressed the need to revise the 2018 National Disability Act to align with UNIDIS criteria for comprehensive and standardised implementation nationwide. He advocated for advocacy partnerships, engagement with OPDs, training of stakeholders, and the establishment of monitoring task forces.
Highlighting the importance of timely enforcement, he urged the federal government to enforce penalties outlined in the Disability Act post-compliance moratorium to ensure robust implementation of the law.
