The workshop which took place in Cirenes Hotel, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State between 30th and 31st May, 2024 brought together, 25 Disability Rights Advocates. The workshop was part of the activities under the 2-Year Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Project being funded by AMPLIFYCHANGE in Kwara, Enugu and Ebonyi States.
While commending the efforts of Ebonyi State Government for the support being provided to persons with Disabilities, the Executive Director of VDI, Barr. Catherine Edeh and other Civil Society Organisations including Organizations of Persons with Disabilities lament the absence of Disability Rights Law and Disability Commission in Ebonyi State.
Participants also lament that access to healthcare services for persons with disabilities, especially the deaf, blind and the physically challenged have been compromised due to lack of Disability Support Desks and Sign Language Interpreters in healthcare facilities in Ebonyi State and therefore called on the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to as a matter of urgency:
(i) Ensure executive backing for the domestication of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Law in Ebonyi State
(ii) Establish a Disability Commission to be domiciled directly under the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State to oversee the affairs of persons with disabilities
(iii) Set up Disability Support Desks and engage Sign Language Interpreters in government institutions especially healthcare facilities to enable persons with disabilities, especially the blind, deaf, women with albinism and physically challenged to access healthcare services.
