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

REALIZATION OF INTEGRATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The integration of children with special needs education has started, both in the world and in Macedonia. The starting point for successful integration firstly is determined by what kind of children with special needs ed...

A review of a book - MEDICAL BASES OF DISABILITY - (Vladimir E. Trajkovski)

Writing a professional textbook provokes many dilemmas. One of them is either to seize studious elaboration of a separate issue extracted from a bigger unit in order to highlight a particular item, an entity or to elabor...

DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION AS A PRECONDITION FOR INTEGRATION IN THE SOCIAL COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN WITH HARD MENTAL RETARDATION

Her master thesis is presented on 168 pages, with an introduction, a theoretical part, a research part, an analysis and an interpretation of the results, conclusions with proposed measures, and literature. The results of...

AN EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS OF SELF-REGULATED STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT WRITING INTERVENTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES

Background: Approximately 5% of school-aged children in the United States receive special education services under the specific learning disabilities category. Additionally, 20% of all students experience difficulty with...

PHYSICAL DISABILITY AND DRAMA ACTIVITY

Drama activity presents a great challenge for ado­lescents with physical disabilities, and at the same time it provides them with much experience for life. Adolescents are educated through theatrical activ­ity; they tes...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP7998
  • DOI -
  • Views 523
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Johan ELEWEKE, Gabriel SOJE (2016). CHALLENGES OF EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, 17(3), 122-138. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-7998