ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Kano Initiatives for Persons with Special Needs (KIPSN have raised concerns over the slow implementation of existing disability legislation, saying gaps in enforcement continue to exclude persons with disabilities from key opportunities.
The Initiative said the absence of a fully functional disability commission has limited access to education, employment and social support for affected individuals.
Its Chairman, Abdurrazaq Ado-Zango, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano, said the situation reflects a wider challenge of translating laws into practical impact.
READ ALSO: Atiku’s Morocco Wedding Trip Sparks Political Speculations
He noted that although the disability law was passed by the state assembly, signed and gazetted in 2022, key structures required for implementation remain inactive.
According to him, the delay in setting up staffing, funding and operational systems has left many persons with disabilities outside government programmes and interventions.
Ado-Zango said the struggle for disability rights in the state spanned over two decades of advocacy, during which several activists died before the law was eventually enacted.
He said “the law is essential for coordinating interventions, attracting support and improving welfare of persons with disabilities in the state.”
He stressed that education remains a major inequality point, citing lack of inclusive materials, limited scholarships and poor access to specialised training such as speech and occupational therapy.
Ado-Zango also pointed to the high cost of assistive devices like Braille slates and calculators, noting that dependence on imported materials makes them unaffordable for many learners.
He further highlighted infrastructural barriers in schools, including lack of accessible classrooms, Braille resources and sign language interpreters.
He added that many special education facilities in Kano are overcrowded, poorly maintained and lack adequate teaching tools, while instructors often have little training in assistive technologies.
On healthcare, he said persons with disabilities face communication barriers due to absence of sign language interpreters, while some visually-impaired persons experience discrimination in medical settings.
“Persons with disabilities were severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lack of tailored protective materials designed for their needs,” he said.
He also called for stronger access to justice systems that include Braille documentation, sign language services and inclusive communication in courts and police stations.
Ado-Zango rated disability inclusion in policy implementation at about 10 per cent, adding that most progress currently depends on external partners rather than government-driven commitment.
(NAN)