CHALLENGES OF EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Journal Title: Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation - Year 2016, Vol 17, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: This paper reviews issues affecting the empowerment of people with disabilities in Nigeria so they can be productive and contribute to the development of the nation. The questions of concern are: What is known about the extent people with disabilities are empowered to contribute to national development in Nigeria? What challenges do people with disabilities in Nigeria encounter in their attempt to contribute to national development? What are the implications of these challenges regarding strategies that could enhance the empowerment of people with disabilities to facilitate their contribution to national development? Method: This paper addresses these questions by reviewing available research on issues pertaining to (1) legislative mandates on provision of services to individuals with disabilities in the country, (2) funding for services by the government, (3) accessing education and related services, which can ensure that people with disabilities are able to develop their potential and be able to contribute to national development as workers, administrators or employers of labour. Findings: Available evidence indicates that people with disabilities in Nigeria encounter challenges in accessing essential services that could enhance their contribution to national development due to factors such as the absence of legislation protecting their rights to receive these services, inadequate funding of services, absence of effective inclusion programmes, and lack of facilities, personnel, and resources. Suggestions and conclusion: The author recommended some strategies that could produce better outcomes and enhance the opportunities for people with disabilities to be empowered so that they can contribute their quota to national development. These strategies include: enacting and implementing ? national disability legislation, utilisation of community-based strategies in the provision of services, and increased advocacy activities by disability organisations.
Authors and Affiliations
Johan ELEWEKE| World Languages and Literatures, Portland State University,Portland, USA, Gabriel SOJE| College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP7998
- DOI -
- Views 528
- Downloads 0
SEXUAL EDUCATION FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Possibilities for intellectual and movement development of children with disabilities are part of the research that is provided within special education and rehabilitation. But we think that the forgotten component of t...
SOME ASPECTS OF PROTECTION OF DISABLED FOR WORK AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS
In the concept of social care several categories of citizens exist, for whom the state provides a kind of care. These are the following categories: “weak citizens”, “disabled for work citizens”, and “handicapped persons”...
“ABOUT THE LIVE AND WORK IN INSTITUTION FOR MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS-CRAENBURG-NORDOP HOLLAND”
Holandija kako zemja ~lenka na Evropskata unija so visok ekonomski i socijalen standard na `ivot, pokraj drugoto nastojuva da obezbedi i maksimalno zadovoluva~ki i idealni uslovi za za{tita, edukacija i rehabilitacija na...
EARLY DETECTION, DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF HIGHLY HYPEROPIC AMBLYOPIA
The following conditions are necessary for binocular sight: · anatomical and dioptrical integrity of the eye; · binocular visual field; · perfect coordinance between the retinas and their eleme...
PREPARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: "MODERN ASPECTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES"
This year, the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, celebrates the anniversary “20 years from the beginning of special education and rehabilitation studies”. On that occasio...