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Person with Disabilities PWDs in the country has called on Political Parties and their candidates to involve them in campaign committee for inclusive participation during elections.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Epelle, said as enshrined in the 2018 Disability Act, political parties must ensure that locations and settings for meetings and campaign activities are accessible to all PWDs.
According to him, provision of sign language interpreters for the hearing-impaired community and provision of adequate security network for persons with disabilities must be available during campaign activities.
He also emphasized the need to strengthened internal democracy, where PWDs are allowed to fully participate in the campaign committees.
Mr Epelle advised political parties to subsidize election costs for Persons with Disabilities, taking into account the socio-economic inequalities.
Program Manager of the Foundation, Ms Ndifreke Ferdinand advised that campaign materials be produced in accessible formats to reach different clusters of PWDs.
Ms Ferdinand added that inclusion of under-represented communities in the country would help build and maintain a broader base of constituent support, as well as earn citizens’ trust. (FRCN)
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