Expert seeks domestication of Disability Law in Ekiti

An expert, who is also the President, National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), Dr. Cathrine Atteng, has urged Ekiti State Government to establish a special commission for persons with disabilities and domesticate the National Disability Law signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

She said creating the commission, domesticating the Disability Law and establishing rehabilitation centres in Ekiti State’s three senatorial districts would unleash leadership potential among persons with disabilities and foster self-reliance.

Speaking at the association’s 36th Annual Conference with the theme: ‘Transformative Solutions and Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities’, hosted by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Atteng defined inclusive education as tailoring instruction to individual abilities, leveraging assistive technologies and developing curricula reflecting diverse experience.

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He lauded Governor Oyebanji for prioritising persons with special needs, noting his administration’s infrastructure investments catering to their requirements.

In recognition of Oyebanji’s impact on disability inclusion and special education, NASET conferred on Oyebanji, its prestigious Fellowship Award.

Also honoured was a NASET member, Mr. Akinbode Olaoye, who was recognised for his decade-long commitment to persons with disabilities in Nigeria and beyond.

Olaoye’s contributions include: advocacy for the visually-impaired, support for braille literacy programmes, adaptation of Nigeria’s nine-year basic education curriculum for special needs learners, reforming Yoruba braille codes, authoring four book chapters and securing multi-million-naira research grants, and representation at local and international conferences, among others.

Olaoye and fellow awardees reaffirmed their commitment to NASET and advancing inclusive education advocacy in Nigeria.