The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative, V-PeSDI, has called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation and monitoring of development programmes in Kano State.
The organisation made the call during an advocacy visit to the School of Special Education, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Kano State.
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The visit was led by the V-PeSDI Coordinator, Aftahana Dahiru Sarina, alongside the organisation’s Technical Adviser, Mallam Salisu Yusuf; Chairman, KANET, Barrister Nura Ahmad Muhammad; and a member of the V-PeSDI Coordination Group, Amatulmannan Mikaeel Ishaq.
The delegation met with the Head of the School of Special Education, Mallam Abdulkadir Darma, to explore areas of collaboration between the organisation and the academic institution.
Discussions centred on building a sustainable partnership between academia and civil society organisations to promote disability-inclusive development and increase public awareness on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities across Kano State.
The two institutions agreed to maintain a collaborative relationship and support each other in areas of mutual interest.
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V-PeSDI also expressed its readiness to provide facilitation and technical support for relevant programmes, training, workshops, awareness campaigns and other disability inclusion-related activities organised by the school.
As part of the engagement, the organisation distributed disability inclusion awareness campaign posters to the School of Special Education to promote understanding of disability rights and encourage greater participation of persons with disabilities in educational and community development processes.
Other areas identified for collaboration include climate change mitigation awareness, voter education, increased participation of persons with disabilities in electoral processes, as well as advocacy for accessible infrastructure and public facilities.
The delegation stressed that persons with disabilities should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of development interventions, but should be actively involved in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects that affect their lives.
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V-PeSDI said meaningful disability inclusion requires collective action, evidence-based advocacy and sustained collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, civil society organisations and communities.
The organisation said it would continue to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at promoting accessibility, equal participation, inclusion, and the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in Kano State.