UN International Day Of Persons With Disabilities: CITAB Demands Urgent Action On Affordable Assistive Technology And Inclusive Employment

Since 1992, the United Nations has marked December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), an annual observance that seeks to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in every aspect of society while raising awareness of the barriers they continue to face. The Day serves as a reminder of the commitment to create a more inclusive and accessible world for all.

 In commemoration of this year’s IDPD, the Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle two longstanding challenges faced by blind and visually impaired Nigerians: the prohibitive cost of Assistive Technology (AT) and the lack of effective enforcement of inclusive employment policies. 

This was contained in a statement released today in Lagos and signed by CITAB’s Executive Chairman, Jolomi George Fenemigho, as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Speaking personally about the obstacles faced, Mr. Fenemigho shared, “As someone who lives these realities every day, I know just how devastating it can be when something as simple as an affordable braille device or a screen reader is placed out of reach by steep costs. When I see a young, ambitious blind person locked out of opportunity simply because our systems make basic tools unaffordable, it’s not only heartbreaking, it feels unjust. We cannot call ourselves an inclusive society while these barriers persist.” 

He continued, “We pour our energy into training and empowering visually impaired people but I often hear their frustration firsthand, when they tell me about being turned away by employers or given empty assurances because of inaccessible workplace systems. It’s not enough to give us skills if nobody will give us a chance to use them. Every time I am reminded that the law requires at least a 5 percent employment quota for people with disabilities in public service, I ask when will this be more than just a number on paper We want to contribute, to work, to shape our country’s future, and we should not be denied that chance.”

 CITAB’s statement identified two main areas needing urgent attention:

 Firstly, the exorbitant cost of essential assistive devices such as screen readers, braille machines, and tactile graphics equipment continues to exclude many blind Nigerians from education and employment. “It pains me to witness bright minds being held back, not by their abilities, but by the price tag on the very tools they need. I’m not asking for charity. What I and many others want is the chance to prove ourselves just level the playing field and watch what we can do,” Fenemigho emphasized. 

Secondly, while digital skills training for the blind is progressing, countless talented individuals remain shut out of the workforce due to workplace inaccessibility and employer indifference. “We feel the sting of rejection every time we hit a wall set up by systems that weren’t built for us or by employers who still doubt what we’re capable of. It’s exhausting, but we refuse to give up. We need our leaders to enforce the law, not just announce it, and to hold those who block our progress accountable.” 

CITAB called for concrete government action: 

• The Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies must immediately introduce zero tariffs and VAT exemptions on all accredited assistive technology products to bring prices down and enable blind Nigerians to access education and professional opportunities.

• The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, should ensure full enforcement of the 5 percent employment quota in all public institutions and establish rigorous systems for tracking and reporting progress.

• All government and private sector digital platforms, as well as educational institutions, must be required to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, so that visually impaired individuals can apply their skills without obstacles. 

Mr. Fenemigho concluded with a fervent appeal “For me, and for so many others, this is personal. Our dignity and dreams are tied to being treated as equals a chance to work, to learn, and to thrive. We are not asking for favors; we are demanding our rights. The laws exist, the skills are there, and the technology is real. All we need now is the real commitment from those in power to make inclusion more than just a slogan. Let’s make 2025 and beyond the time we finally open the doors that have been closed for too long.” 

CITAB urges all disability-focused organizations, advocates, and allies to unite on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to Fenemigho, “If we come together and keep pushing, real change is within reach. No one group can win this fight alone, but together, we can finally build a Nigeria where no one is left behind.”