The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 strongly prohibits any form of discrimination on the stance of disability. Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly are expected to ensure strict enforcement of this law across the nation. Relevant government agencies are also urged to increase awareness of the provisions of the Act and the need to comply with it. Awareness and compliance to the Act would greatly eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities.
This year’s commemoration of World Down Syndrome Day centered on provision of adequate care for people with down syndrome and other forms of disability; discussions and activities also focused on the plight of children with special needs. World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated annually on March 21 across the globe, discusses likely challenges encountered by people living with this disability and provides feasible ways through which the government and society can help in mitigation of their situation.
Persons with the Down syndrome should be involved in decision making.
2023’s theme for the international day was “With Us, Not For Us”. This theme means that people with down syndrome possess inalienable rights just as every other human. It also emphasized the fact that they should be involved in decision making processes of issues that affect them in the place of work, family, government institutions and the Soviet at large; having a say in decision making processes makes them believe that their opinions and preferences matter. It encourages them to know that down syndrome is not a death sentence.
Mrs. Duma Edward-Dibiana a special educator and an advocate for the rights of children with special needs, stated that the message passed by this year’s commemoration is that people living with down syndrome require the support of everyone to make their personal choices, embraced, accepted and regarded as people who are capable of making their own decisions. As a result, the mother of a child with Down syndrome stated that issues that concern them should not be concluded without their consent or input.
The condition is a major cause of intellectual disability.
According to experts, down syndrome is a condition whereby a human possesses an extra chromosome. People who live with this condition are vulnerable to various health challenges which include intellectual disability and internal organ defects. Researchers have it that the most common cause of intellectual disability around the world is down syndrome. Although researchers are yet to figure out the cause of the syndrome, it has always existed as a human condition. It exists in all regions of the world, causing diverse effects on learning styles, health and physical characteristics.
Based on research, individuals with the syndrome can be encouraged to have optimal quality of life through medical guidance, parental support and care, and support systems provided by the community like inclusive education at all levels. However, in Nigeria, there are limitations to maximizing the potentials of persons living with the Down Syndrome. These obstacles include limited access to proper education and health resources. Most at times, they suffer stigmatization, discrimination, prejudices and even rejection at work or public places.
Classroom practices should be modified to suit PLWDs.
Additionally, people living with the syndrome require inclusive education which provides equity in access and opportunities to education and resources that care for their needs. Modification of classroom practices to suit those with and without the syndrome or any other disability should be considered. The incoming government was likewise urged to take deliberate steps for protection of persons with down syndrome and other disabilities through strict enforcement of the 2018 Act and other laws that protect their interests.
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World Down Syndrome Day, March 21st – FG and National Assembly should ensure enforcement of the 2018 law. – Express your point of view.
The 2018 law, represents an important milestone in Nigeria’s development, and it is critical that it is enforced to achieve its intended goals. We call on the government and National Assembly to work together to allocate resources, establish monitoring systems, and promote public awareness to ensure that the provisions of the law are implemented effectively. This will help to improve governance in Nigeria and promote sustainable economic growth.
The world syndrome day is meant to celebrate the survivors that are living with down syndrome. I hope we continue to take good care of them always.
I like as it is strongly recommended that the appropriate state authorities enhance knowledge of the terms of the act and the necessity of complying with it.
It’s ridiculous that locals with this illness are at risk for a variety of different health problems, but it’s something that needs to be handled as quickly as possible.
Children with Down syndrome are usually stigmatized , it’s not really easy to relate with them. But stigmatizing them will make them feel unwanted by the society. People should learn to cope with them
The government need to create more awareness about this disease and how to take care of children suffering from this because people tend to maltreat or abandon their kids when they have Down syndrome.
Government need to take this syndrome and other forms of disability discrimination serious. Many people in Nigeria can discriminate well, and a lot of people living with different type of disability are feeling so rejected.
Enforcing 2018 law may not really work well due to the kind of society we are into. What we need to do is create awareness of love among the society, encouraging people show love to them. Doing this will make them happy
I can see that the country people is not ripe yet on how to manage people with disabilities and more effort should be made by both the legislature and executive in ensure that the right bill is passed to protect the interests
This is ability in disability. That this set of people are disable doesn’t mean that they should be discriminated in the society. Thank to World Down Syndrome Day which use to send message to every that these group of people have the same right as every other people on earth. FG and National Assembly should ensure enforcement of the 2018 law because there still be discriminated in Nigeria.
People with disability are being maltreated in the country today. Commemorating the World Down Syndrome Day will serve as a reminder to everyone in any part of the world that people down syndrome and other disability are people like us and deserve our care and equal treatment like us. Therefore FG and National Assembly should ensure the enforcement of the 2018 law.