The Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa has officially launched a campaign aimed at tackling human rights violations faced by mobility-challenged individuals in Nigeria.
The campaign, titled #WheelchairNotLuggage, seeks to raise awareness and demand a change in the attitudes and behaviors of transporters, particularly public bus and car drivers, who have long mistreated persons with mobility challenges.
For years, these individuals have endured various forms of discrimination, including refusal of service, inhumane treatment, and extra charges for transporting wheelchairs when transporters eventually agree to assist them.
Mr Yinka Olaito, Executive Director of the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa, stressed the long-overdue nature of the campaign during its debut in Lagos.
”Many people with mobility challenges who rely on wheelchairs have silently suffered these abuses from public transport operators, including bus drivers, car services, and even airline operators”. he stated.
This behavior is often rooted in ignorance or, at worst, malicious intent, he said.
Mr Olaito called for urgent need for change, citing the Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Law 2018, which clearly forbids such abuses.
“A wheelchair is a personal mobility aid, not luggage,” he stated. “Denying access to a person in a wheelchair or treating the wheelchair as luggage is illegal and may be a criminal offense.”
He called on leaders of all recognized transport associations in Nigeria to hold their members accountable and enforce respect for the rights of mobility-challenged passengers.
Mr Olaito urged all stakeholders in the disability inclusion ecosystem to raise their voices and stand against injustice.
“There is no equity when any section of society is continually mistreated,” he stated.
:Radio Nigeria