1. SOCIAL JUSTICE: Driving social change and fostering an inclusive society.

NAPVID advocates for the recognition, protection, and enforcement of the rights of PWDs to enable their full participation in society. This includes fighting against systemic discrimination, promoting disability-inclusive laws, and ensuring access to legal remedies for rights violations. The principle of social justice also encompasses access to employment, healthcare, education, and public infrastructure without discrimination or exclusion.

To attain sustainable social justice for Persons with Disabilities, NAPVID engages multifaceted advocacy techniques and strategic programme interventions, dismantling attitudinal, institutional, structural and environmental barriers that exclude PWDs from governance and development and from participating in society on an equal basis with others. The following are the advocacy techniques and strategic programmes driven by NAPVID under the Social Justice thematic focus.

 

 

(1)        Advocacy for the enactment, adoption or domestication of legal frameworks.

NAPVID recognize that to expedite access to justice and to engender an all-inclusive society for Persons with Disabilities, laws must be specifically enacted to safeguard them from the exploitative or discriminatory tendencies of individuals or government. In our clime, legal and policy frameworks are often insufficient or inadequate to address the rights and inclusion of PWDs, and in some cases, existing laws perpetuate discrimination or otherwise harm the interests of Nigerians with disabilities.

Also, it is usually believed that the rights of the physically challenged are guaranteed under the extant laws that provide for the rights of the citizenry of Nigeria. This assumption is erroneous. People with disabilities are because of their special circumstances, part of the community of vulnerable people whose rights should be specifically legislated on. The absence of legal or administrative safeguards in place to ensure that people with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental impairments fully and effectively participate in society on an equal basis with others clearly demonstrate lopsidedness in the process and principle of governance.

 

Consequently, through advocacy, lobby and collaboration, NAPVID joined the struggle for the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the passage of the Edo State Persons with Disability Law, 2022. Beyond Edo State, NAPVID is strategically expanding its advocacy efforts across South-South Nigeria, through multi-stakeholder engagement, policy dialogues, and digital advocacy, with the goal of achieving the full implementation of disability rights laws across the region. The push for government to take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination against people with disabilities, is ongoing.

 

(2)        ‘Rights Above Charity Lecture’ (RACL).

NAPVID in 2011, conceptualized and inaugurated the ‘RIGHTS ABOVE CHARITY LECTURE’, to commemorate the December 3rd UN Day for Persons with Disabilities, principally to underscore the civil, social, cultural, economic and political rights of persons with disabilities to cohabit in an egalitarian society anchored on freedom, justice and equality. This is in tune with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, and the UN sustainable development goals.

This campaign is committing to accelerate public action for inclusive development for Persons with Disabilities in key facets of our national life such as education, healthcare, cultural inclusion, social justice, economic empowerment, political relevance as well as access to public infrastructure and services. RACL is a flagship event organized to shift the narrative from charity-based approaches to rights-based approaches in addressing the needs of PWDs. RACL serves as a platform for raising awareness, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration to create a more inclusive society.

Between 2011 and 2024, 13 Rights Above Charity Lectures have been organized. NAPVID bringing together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector and working with eminent jurists, erudite scholars, renowned human rights activists and social crusaders of international standing, has used the annual colloquium to call for the establishment, recognition and enforcement of the legal and constitutional rights of people with disabilities, with a view to narrowing the gap in governance, which is deficiently deployed  towards PWDs. (provide or embed link to full report page on RACL)

(3)        Advocacy Engagements.

 

Inspired by our mission “to advance the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance and development initiatives”, NAPVID uses one-on-one advocacy strategy, targeting relevant stakeholders in government, multinational organizations, development partners, nongovernmental organizations, institutions and influential individuals to ensure that there is disability content and dimension in the consideration and execution of programmes and policies. NAPVID collaborates with government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to push for disability-inclusive laws, equitable policies, and accessible public services.

 

(4)        Employing the Power of the Press

NAPVID embarks on an intensive and extensive media campaign to attain and sustain an inclusive and egalitarian society for people with disabilities. We are leveraging on the power of the media (conventional and social networks) in enlightening the populace, make changes to the structures of society and influence the attitudes of people towards PWDs. Radio and television broadcasts of our activities have reached many members of the public and the Disability Community even in the hinter areas.

Part of the media campaign strategies being deployed by NAPVID to inform and orient society, is the production and airing of sensitization Jingles, use of Public Service Announcement PSA, release of press statements and holding of press conferences. One engaging programme that is resonating with the people across the media networks is the programme ‘Hitches and Voices’.

Hitches and Voices is a weekly public awareness programme on radio that is beamed all over the major social media platform. For too long, the public has held a contemptuous, distorted or prejudiced perception about the character, potential and the evolving capacity of people with disabilities to fully and effectively participate in society. The programme is on to herald a progressive, informed and balanced assessment and opinion of People with Disabilities and their issues. Hitches and Voices is currently imparting People positively, influencing the attitude of the populace towards persons with disabilities.

 

(5)        Facilitate Access to Justice

 

To address the profound social and legal disadvantage of people with disabilities and to promote their participation in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres, their unfettered access to justice must be guaranteed. NAPVID therefore work with a team of passionate lawyers and rally relevant State Institutions, Civil Society Groups, Professional Bodies and Development Partners to defend the rights of Persons with Disabilities and aid their access to justice. Where the basic legal or constitutional rights of PWDS are disregarded by government or its agencies, corporate organizations, families or individuals, steps are taken to redress same. The subject of rights is clearly a legal question, and a legally proactive crew is essential to protect the fundamental rights and inherent dignity and worth of PWDs.

 

NAPVID remains committed to eliminating the attitudinal, institutional, and environmental barriers that continue to exclude PWDs from governance, social services, and economic opportunities. By mobilizing key stakeholders and leveraging innovative approaches, the organization is driving real, systemic changes to create an inclusive and just society for all. Through policy advocacy, legal support, and community engagement, NAPVID works to break down barriers that prevent PWDs from fully participating in society.

2. INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE

Governance structures and decision-making processes must be accessible, participatory, and inclusive of PWDs to ensure representation and equitable policy development.

NAPVID promotes the active involvement of PWDs in governance and policymaking at all levels. This involves advocating for the inclusion of PWDs in political processes, government agencies, and legislative bodies. It also entails pushing for the implementation of disability-friendly policies, accessibility in public institutions, and the appointment of qualified PWDs into leadership positions to influence policy decisions that affect their lives.

At NAPVID, we believe that true democracy and sustainable development can only be achieved when governance is inclusive of all citizens, including people with disabilities. Our Inclusive Governance thematic area focuses on advocating for policies, laws, and institutional reforms that ensure PWDs have equal representation, participation, and access to decision-making processes at all levels of government.

Through strategic advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building initiatives, NAPVID works to dismantle barriers that exclude PWDs from governance. We collaborate with government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to mainstream disability inclusion in public policies, electoral processes, and leadership structures.

By promoting inclusive governance, we empower PWDs to actively participate in shaping policies that impact their lives, fostering a society where their voices are heard, rights are protected, and contributions are valued.

NAPVID is committed to ensuring that PWDs can participate fully in the democratic process. Our advocacy efforts in this area include the “Access Nigeria: Disability Votes Matter” campaign, which promotes the inclusion of PWDs in elections. In collaboration with the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), NAPVID introduced the Braille Ballot Guide (BBG) in Nigeria’s elections, significantly enhancing the electoral process for PWDs. Additionally, we have partnered with the Ondo Disability Welfare Agency (ODWA) to collect data on registered voters with disabilities, ensuring that disability-accessible materials are available at polling units.

 

3. SOCIAL PROTECTION: Advocate for Support Systems that Mitigate Vulnerabilities.

NAPVID advocates and works to ensure that PWDs benefit from comprehensive social protection mechanisms, including prevention and reduction of poverty, protection from risk and shocks, ensuring social security benefits, enhancing livelihoods and socio-economic conditions and guaranteeing access to public infrastructure. The organisation also advocates for government intervention programs that address the economic and social vulnerabilities of PWDs, ensuring that no one is left behind due to their disability status. At NAPVID, our commitment to Social Protection is rooted in the belief that every individual, regardless of their abilities, deserves a life of dignity, security, and opportunity. The overarching goal of NAPVID Social Protection Policy is to establish a gender-sensitive and age-appropriate framework to ensure a minimum social floor for PWDs.

Our approach is holistic, encompassing various aspects of social protection, including:

• Gender and Sexual-Based Violence (GBV) Advocacy

NAPVID’s advocacy work addresses the intersectionality of Gender and Sexual-Based Violence and disability. Women and girls with disabilities are at a disproportionately higher risk of gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation. Children with disabilities, regardless of gender, are highly vulnerable to physical and emotional abuse, often within their own families or institutional settings. The lack of accessible reporting mechanisms further exacerbates this issue. We focus on increasing awareness about GBV, particularly for victims with disabilities who may face additional barriers in reporting due to their disabilities.

Our initiatives include:

1. A) Raising Awareness: Conducting campaigns and educational programs to raise awareness about GBV and its impact on PWDs.
2. B) Reporting Mechanisms: Developing and promoting accessible reporting mechanisms for victims with disabilities, ensuring they have the means to report incidents of GBV.
3. C) Support Services: Providing counseling and rehabilitation services to survivors of GBV, helping them recover and regain their independence.
4. D) Enhance Healthcare Services: Establish specialized healthcare programs for women and children with disabilities, including accessible reproductive health services and mental health support.
5. E) Strengthen Legal and Support Mechanisms Against Violence: Develop gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive mechanisms for reporting and responding to violence, including accessible shelters and legal aid.
6. F) Promote Economic Empowerment: Create programs that provide vocational training, microfinance opportunities, and employment incentives for women with disabilities.
7. G) Encourage Political and Social Representation: Persons with disabilities, particularly women and children, should be actively included in decision-making bodies to influence policies that affect them directly.
8. H) Improve Data Collection and Research: Governments and organizations must invest in disaggregated data collection to better understand the intersectionality between disability, gender, and childhood and develop evidence-based policies.

 

 

(2)        STEP-Hub: Skills Training and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities

The Skills Training and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Hub (STEP-Hub) is an initiative of NAPVID, dedicated to equipping Persons with Disabilities with the necessary technical, vocational, and digital skills to foster self-reliance and economic independence. This hub integrates skill acquisition, psychosocial counseling, assistive technology training, and accessibility support to create an inclusive learning and working environment for PWDs.

STEP-Hub is an empowerment center, located at the NAPVID Secretariat, where PWDs can learn marketable handicrafts, vocational trades, and digital skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial prospects. The program also incorporates a Computer/Braille Press to ensure that visually impaired individuals receive adequate training in assistive technology, making education and employment more accessible. Beyond skill acquisition, the hub provides psychosocial support, mobility aid services, and daily living skills training to promote full societal integration. (Provide or embed link to full report page)

(3)        Project HELP 1.0 2021 to 2024.

NAPVID designed Project HELP – Health, Education, livelihood, and palliative (HELP), as a response to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the income and livelihood of citizens with disabilities. The goal of the Project is to manage vulnerabilities, reduce shocks and ensure state disability inclusive social protection for PWDs in Edo state. This was consequent upon the 15th of February 2021 meeting of the Board of Trustees of NAPVID, with the executive Governor of Edo State, where the Inclusion of PWDs in the socio-economic life of the State was discussed. The outcome of the meeting was the approval of a grant to NAPVID, to drive the implementation of Project HELP, in partnership with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government, to influence the inclusion of PWDs in programmes that promote their health, Education, and livelihood outcomes.

The Project was officially flagged off on the 19th of May 2021, by the representative of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, at the NAPVIDS’ Secretariat, Benin City. The four components of Project HELP; Health, Education, Livelihood, and Palliatives, were significantly implemented. (Read more… embed links to project HELP Page full report)

(4)  Resilient NET Project

The ResilientNet project, supported by the National Democratic Institute and implemented by NAPVID, was launched in response to the increasing socio-economic vulnerabilities faced by Persons with Disabilities in Edo State, Nigeria. The catalyst for the project was the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in May 2023, a policy change that had worsened the already precarious economic situation for PWDs. Prior to the subsidy removal, many PWDs in Edo State struggled with limited access to employment, healthcare, and social services. With the elimination of the fuel subsidy, these challenges deepened, such as rising transportation costs, inflation, and reduced access to essential services further marginalized this already vulnerable group.

The ResilientNet project was designed to empower PWDs by advocating for their inclusion in the state’s economic and social policies. The primary goal of the project was to ensure that the Edo State government developed and implemented policies, programs, and projects that included PWDs and catered to their specific needs. Recognizing that the removal of the fuel subsidy had disproportionately impacted PWDs due to their dependence on transportation and social support systems, the project focused on building a network of advocacy and support to secure targeted economic relief for PWDs.

Summary of the Achievements of the Project Include:

1. Edo State Transport Authority to prioritize accessibility for wheelchair users in subsequent procurement of Buses for the State-owned Transport Company.
2. Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Development to involve organizations of Persons with Disabilities in budgetary processes and ensure that programmes of various MDAs are disability inclusive.
3. Ministry of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives to reserve a quota for PWDs in the ministry’s activities and directed Local Government Councils to include PWDs in the disbursement of grants from the Federal Government.
4. Ministry of Health to collaborate with the Edo Health Insurance Commission to enroll unemployed PWDs into the Equity Health Insurance Scheme.
5. Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues to continue to include PWDs in the ministry’s programmes. expressed confidence that the Edo State Persons with Disabilities Commission will be established before November 2024.
6. The secretary to Edo State Government committed to making the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the SSG’s office, as well as the Executive Council Chamber accessible to wheelchair users. (Provide or embed link to ResillientNET full report)

 

4. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Education systems must be inclusive, accessible, and accommodating diverse learning needs, ensuring that PWDs receive quality education on an equal basis with others.

NAPVID promotes policies and initiatives that ensure the full inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in mainstream education. This includes advocating for accessible school environments, special education support services, provision of assistive learning technologies, teacher training on disability-inclusive education, and policies that prevent discrimination against learners with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that PWDs have equal access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.

At NAPVID, education is a cornerstone of our mission to create an inclusive society where People with Disabilities can thrive. Education is the viable tool for children with Disabilities to be productive, guarantee a meaningful future and equip them to contribute to society. Our educational initiatives are designed to advocate for and implement inclusive educational systems that give equal opportunities to all. Here, we highlight our key educational programs and their impact:

1. Advocacy for Inclusive Education

NAPVID is dedicated to advocating for a more inclusive educational system that accommodates the needs of PWDs. Our advocacy efforts have led to significant milestones, including the development of the Disability-Centered Inclusive Education Strategic Roadmap for Edo State (DIESTRES). This 10-year action plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to transform the educational landscape in Edo State, ensuring that more than 80,000 out of school children with disability have access to quality education in an inclusive environment. DIESTRES focuses on:

• Policy Development: Collaborating with government agencies to create and implement policies that support inclusive education.
• Infrastructure Improvement: Advocating for the construction and renovation of educational facilities to make them accessible to PWDs.
• Curriculum Development: ensuring the adoption and adaptability of school curriculum to be inclusive and responsive to the peculiar learning needs of children with disabilities.

• Teacher Training: Providing training for educators to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to support students with disabilities.

1. Get Your Child to School Campaign

Education is a fundamental right, and NAPVID’s “Get Your Child to School Campaign” aims to ensure that children with disabilities have access to quality education. This campaign advocates inclusive education policies and practices, encouraging families to enroll their children with disabilities in school. Through community outreach, awareness programs, and partnerships with educational institutions, NAPVID has successfully increased school enrollment for children with disabilities, ensuring they can learn and grow in an inclusive environment.

1. Educational Support Programs

NAPVID’s commitment to education extends beyond advocacy. We implement various programs to support the educational needs of PWDs, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to succeed academically. Key initiatives include:

• NAPVID Educational Support Grant: This grant provides financial aid to undergraduates with disabilities, covering tuition fees, accommodation, and assistive devices such as laptops and recorders. By alleviating financial barriers, we enable PWDs to pursue their academic ambitions.
• Support for Special Needs Students: We provide hostel accommodation, school fees, and feeding for primary and secondary school students with special needs. This support ensures that these students have a stable and conducive learning environment.
• Assistive Learning Devices: To aid learning, NAPVID has provided assistive learning devices such as computers and voice recorders. These devices help students with disabilities to access educational materials and take part fully in their studies.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” At NAPVID, we are committed to creating an inclusive educational system that empowers PWDs through knowledge. Our advocacy for inclusive education, the development of DIESTRES, and our various support programs demonstrate our dedication to ensuring that PWDs have access to quality education and the resources they need to succeed.

 

5. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

PWDs should have equal access to economic opportunities, financial independence, and sustainable livelihoods.

NAPVID works towards breaking economic barriers by advocating for disability-inclusive employment policies, skill development programs, and entrepreneurship opportunities for PWDs. This includes vocational training, access to microfinance and credit facilities, and promoting workplace accessibility and reasonable accommodation for PWDs in the labor market. By fostering economic empowerment, NAPVID ensures that PWDs can live independently and contribute meaningfully to society.

According to the World Bank, Persons with Disabilities constitute the largest minority in society and face some of the highest levels of vulnerability. In Nigeria, the current economic realities have pushed many into extreme hardship, a situation further exacerbated by the lasting effect of COVID-19 on livelihoods, impact of the removal of fuel subsidy and other adverse economic policies of government. While economic recovery remains a struggle for many Nigerians, PWDs encounter even greater barriers due to systemic exclusion and the vicious cycle between disability and poverty.

 

Recognizing this urgent need, NAPVID is at the forefront of advocating for the economic empowerment of PWDs. Through strategic interventions, NAPVID is breaking the barriers that limit access to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The organization has:

 

1. Facilitated direct employment of 50 PWDs into the service of local, state and federal government.
2. Trained over 150 PWDs in digital, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills.
3. Established 50 PWD-owned businesses, providing sustainable income and independence.
4. Pushed for inclusive policies and systemic changes to ensure long-term economic empowerment for PWDs.

 

However, true transformation requires collective action. NAPVID invites funders, government agencies, corporate organizations, and individuals to partner in this mission. Your support, whether through funding, skills development, employment opportunities, or policy advocacy, can be the catalyst for an inclusive and economically viable future for PWDs in Nigeria.

 

Join us in ensuring that PWDs are not left behind but are empowered to contribute meaningfully to society. Together, we can shift the narrative from dependence to independence, from exclusion to inclusion.