Anambra State Disability Rights Commission Seeks More Assistance For People With Disabilities… 

The need for all hands to be on deck in supporting persons living with disabilities to achieve their full potentials was brought to the fore as Anambra State Disability Rights Commission held a one-day programme tagged “the journey so far”.

The programme held at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka attracted members of the Commission, persons living with disabilities, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obiabo among numerous stakeholders.

Addressing the participants, the chairman of the commission, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie who spoke virtually, said that the Anambra State House of Assembly passed the State’s Disability Rights bill on thirteenth September, 2018 and was assented to by Former Governor Willie Obiano on eighteenth December, 2018, and mandated the domestication of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

According to Barrister Ezewuzie, the Commission was established on third December 2021, with powers to implement the provisions of the law and create a one-stop shop for all disability issues and services in Anambra state, and that the commission commenced operation with practical attention to the everyday needs of their members which includes shopping, transportation, access, recreation and technology.

The chairman noted that so far, they have made breakthroughs and successes on different areas like staff development and capacity building, inculcation of the spirit of volunteerism in Ndi Anambra, promotion of special sports, mobility training for the visually impaired, E-government and world meeting platforms among others.

Barr. Ezewuzie revealed that one of them, Miss Vivian Ezeonwumelu has received 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship award for Young African Leaders and that she is currently in the United States of America and maintained that the commission is poised to assisting their members in all ramifications with the support of the government and good spirited individuals.

For the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the Stage government will continue to do its part through her ministry in supporting the commission and their members in achieving their mandate and full potentials through various means, including skill acquisition training and empowerment.