In an effort to tackle discrimination among mobility-challenged persons in Nigeria, the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa (CDIA) has unveiled a campaign to address the alarming rate of abuse seen among transporters.
The campaign titled “WheelChairNotLuggage” was launched in Lagos State with the aim to end human rights abuses practices in both public and private transportation, ranging from refusal to payment of additional fees.
During the launch, the Executive Director of CDIA, Mr. Yinka Olaito, described the initiative as long overdue, as many mobility-challenged persons had suffered various abuses from buses, cars, as well as airline operators.
The CDIA calls for orderliness and recognition from Transport Associations in Nigeria, stakeholders, and members of the public, noting that these abuses of mobility-challenged persons must come to an end.
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Explaining further, Mr. Olaito said, “The Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Law 2018 was explicitly clear about such abuses and inhuman treatment against anyone based on body structure.”
He added that, “A wheelchair is a personal mobility item and not a luggage, refusing to board a person who uses a wheelchair or treating the wheelchair as luggage is illegal and can be a criminal offence if found guilty by law.”
Mr. Olaito, who describes the abuses of mobility-challenged persons as injustice, urges other stakeholders to join their voice to call for equality.
“The launching of the campaign is the first step in this order, as many other activities will follow in the coming months until full compliance is noted,” he noted.
