Message From The Ceo

Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) was founded with a vision to create a world where persons with disabilities, especially women, girls, and children, are empowered, included, and given equal opportunities to thrive. Growing up as a person with disability in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the systemic discrimination, exclusion, and lack of access to basic rights faced by individuals like me. These challenges inspired me to establish VDI as a platform to advocate for disability inclusion, challenge stereotypes, and drive meaningful change.

While there are undeniable challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria and beyond, there is also immense potential for transformation. With greater awareness, advocacy, and collaboration, we can break down barriers, promote inclusivity, and ensure that persons with disabilities are active participants in all spheres of life—education, health, employment, and governance.

At VDI, we recognize the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, including limited access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, as well as the prevalence of gender-based violence and societal stigma. These issues are compounded by a lack of awareness, inadequate policies, and limited resources.

To address these challenges, VDI focuses on five key thematic areas: Rights of PWDs, Inclusive Education, Gender, Health, and Livelihood. Through community-based education, advocacy campaigns, capacity-building programs, and partnerships with stakeholders, we work tirelessly to create an enabling environment where persons with disabilities can live with dignity, freedom, and independence.

Since our inception, VDI has made significant strides in advancing disability inclusion. We have organized workshops, advocacy meetings, and awareness campaigns, engaged with policymakers and members of the executive arms of each government in power, and empowered countless women, girls, and children with disabilities to realize their potential. Our efforts have been recognized both locally and internationally, and success stories of our advocacies included the Enugu State Disability Law and Commission, Ebonyi State Disability Rights Bill (Executive Bill) currently undergoing legislative processes at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, efforts on ground to establish Kwara State Disability Rights Commission, the establishment of Special/Inclusive Education Unit at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu, collaboration with Federal Civil Service Commission leading to the gainful employment of graduates with disabilities, among numerous others, but there is still much work to be done.

We invite you to join us in our mission to create a society where persons with disabilities are valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential. Let us work together to build a world where disability is not a barrier to success.

Yours Sincerly

Barr. Catherine Chinyere Edeh