Are they not Nigerians? The obligation of the state to end discriminatory practices against persons with disabilities

Abstract

Nigeria has ratified several international instruments that protect the rights of, and guarantee freedom from discrimination of persons with disabilities (PWD). Despite the above, the country is yet to fully implement the appropriate measures required to achieve the objective of protecting PWD. Successive administrations since the return to civil administration in the country in 1999 have not fulfilled the mandate in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) dealing with disability rights. While the passing into law in January 2019 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 is commendable, it only reflects the pressure on the Federal Government of Nigeria by disability rights advocates and PWD. This article aims to, among others, highlight the plight of PWD in Nigeria, the need to protect their rights and guarantee their freedom from discriminatory practices. To achieve this aim, a review of international and domestic instruments, as well as literature on the subject, is undertaken. The article proposes that the Nigerian government should aim towards inclusivity and accommodation of PWD. For example, instead of merely establishing special schools for PWD, there should be a design to allow for the training of teachers to meet the needs of special children in regular schools.

Case Study of Children Living with Disabilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria: A Look at Their Information Access and Social Inclusion

“…In Hayes (2017), there is free education, but families' prestige becomes an issue; thereby making families of disabled children a factor to their information access and social inclusion. Social inclusion has been an issue of concern as (Arimoro, 2019).…”

“…With scarcity of documents showing the situation of the disabled in Nigeria, one would not be able to state their situation except that Arimoro (2019) recommended for special training to be given to teachers on education of disabled children, so that they can always be included in regular schools while Adetoro (2014) stated the need for inclusive education for the disabled. This is because from observation and based on the authority of Arimoro (2019) and Adetoro (2014), disable children in Nigeria are placed in special schools away from the able children. Thus they are rarely given the privilege of relating with other children who are in regular schools.…”

“…3) Social inclusion of disabled children: the social inclusion of disable children was a main challenge as it was generally shown that they were not included in mainstream schools (Adetoro, 2014;Arimoro, 2019 shown to be accepted because they were visible and not hidden.…”

“…which rights include the provision of tools and amenities required for the full enjoyment of their human rights. Arimoro (2019) mandate government of each country to provide for materials and amenities that ease the lives of the disabled. Such mandates being made subject to the sovereign power of states to domesticate and execute.…”

Managers’ Conceptions and Their Effects on the Perception of Employees with Disabilities

“…In high-income countries, people with mental illness are frequently exposed to open and hidden actions of discrimination [ 34 , 35 ]. In Nigeria, the existence of widespread discrimination against PWDs in terms of job access and security has been identified [ 36 ]. In Spain, personal and group discrimination has been shown to harm self-esteem of PWDs in various ways [ 37 ].…”