FORMER CHIEF JUDGE, IKPOMWEN LAUNCHES BOOKS ON JUDGEMENT WRITING, LAWYERS’ LIFESTYLE

By Kadiri Christopher 

The Edo State Chairman of National Association of Persons with Physical Disability, NAPWPD, Mr. Thompson Omoregie, has called for the modification and the retrofitting of public spaces and facilities, aligning with relevant standard code and universal principles.

Omoregie made the statements in a press briefing in an event to mark and commemorate the International Wheelchair Day, with the theme, "Transforming Futures Through Inclusive Innovation”. 

Speaking in Benin City, he said they choose to celebrate the day, which internationally has been acclaimed to be called “International Wheelchair Day."

He disclosed that promoting accessibility and inclusivity, the society should embrace the use of wheelchair by their Persons With Disabilities, PWD, brothers and sisters especially those that can’t or will not be able to use any other supporting aid.

Omoregie said," Today marks a significant day in the lives of persons with physical disability, especially, those who’s means of mobility and access depends wholeheartedly on the use of the wheelchair. After being confined to the state of being disabled, the use of wheelchair has now become part and parcel of our lives that we can’t do without.

"We choose to celebrate this day which internationally has been acclaimed to be called “International Wheelchair Day. The celebration of this day began since 2008 and ever since, every 1st day of March has been declared for the celebration. Owing to some logistic constraints. We in Edo couldn’t hold our celebration on the said date, but resolved to observe it today.

 "This celebration is a pivotal moment to spotlight the transformative role that wheelchair has played in the lives of persons facing mobility challenges. It also gives us the opportunity to inform the public that so many of us still lack access to this very vital mobility aid.

"We try to advocate and identify the importance of a more accessible society, calling for better and seamless use of these facilities in our environment. This can only happen if our government set the pace by creating the ambience for the use of wheelchairs in our society," he said.

Omoregie therefore outlined some of the objectives of the international wheelchair day, as follows,

"That it aims at promoting accessibility and inclusivity, which means the society should embrace more, the use of wheelchair by our PWD brothers and sisters especially those that can’t or will not be able to use any other supporting aid.

" Address the Global wheelchair Gap: the government and public should acknowledge the global demand for wheelchairs and the barriers preventing the acquiring of it by the users for mobility purpose.

"We also use this day to recognize and honour individual and organizations who have been dedicated to supporting and caring for wheelchair users.

"We here in Edo state, we join individual and all, to celebrate this day with the world as we highlight some of our urgent needs for increased accessibility and inclusivity.

"With the passing of our Disability Law in Edo state since 2022, it is now expedient on our government to constitute our commission to implement every aspect of the laws. This is in order to add bite to the law which is already in place.

"As an organization whose members are all wheelchair users, we stress the importance of implementing minimum accessibility standard code to address the existing access to the environment. We call for the modification and the retrofitting of public spaces and facilities, aligning with relevant standard code and universal principles.

"We demand and insist on government commitment to allocating necessary resources for the provision of suitable wheelchairs for users and also provide fund for the modification and retrofitting of its existing buildings to meet the internationally acceptable standard.

"We are advocating for the necessary societal adjustment to environmental conditions. The National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD) aim to facilitate the inclusion and participation of persons with disability in our community and the state in general," he added.

He stressed further that, "We are resolute for a call for action for a society of a future where inclusivity and accessibility are paramount to inspire positive change, we will continue to play a vital role in championing the cause of PWD and push for a better access for our people"