The Special Assistant to Abia State Governor on Disability matters and the Founder, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, Mr David Anyaele has urged the public to embrace the provisions made in the Abia State disability law established for the welfare of persons with disabilities.
Anyaele made the call during a Media sensitization in Umuahia on the Abia State Disability Law and caution that people should not subject people with disabilities to slavery, use them for practicals or for charity.
According to him, the disability law provided equal rights for persons with disabilities with every member of the society and called on those who discriminate against persons with disabilities to desist, and turn a new leaf.
Anyaele who stressed that the persons with disabilities have the rights to participate in societal activities, pointed out that in the Abia State commission for Disabled persons law, anyone who violates the rights of people with disabilities would stand to face the full weight of the law. He called for re-orientation of public perception about disability matters.
The Special Assistant to the Governor also maintained that the disability law condemns using people with disabilities for alms begging, observed that the charity giving to persons with disabilities is not sustainable, therefore, the law provides an avenue where they can benefit.
He said that the Abia state government is not leaving any person with disability behind and will participate in leadership.
Anyaele also added that his office will carry out sensitization campaigns with the Abia State orientation agency.
He stated that the disability law did not address all their needs, noted that the law would be reviewed.
The state chairman, joint association of persons with disabilities, Mr Wisdom Okechukwu and the legal adviser Abia State advisory committee on disability matters noted that the challenges facing the disability community are enormous, hence the need for all to join hands to champion the cause of the disabled.
They applauded the centre for citizens with disabilities for the role played which led to the passage of disability law at the national and Abia State levels.
