By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS – A group, Ikorodu West Deaf Development Association (IKWDDA), has appealed to the government at all levels to give equal opportunities to the deaf and recognise sign language as a means of communication.
The group made the appeal during the celebration of Deaf Awareness Day held at Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The event with the theme: “Signed up for Language Rights” was in commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Deaf Peoples.
Mr Tosin Kuku, the IKWDDA Chairman, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the council chairman for his support, sponsorship and dedication to some of the programme organised by the association.
Kuku urged the council boss to ensure the provision of sign language interpreters in offices where communication with deaf individual is necessary and needed.
According to him, this is an essential step toward promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the local community.
“The most important achievements for the association will include providing a dedicated office for our use.
“Ensuring five per cent employment opportunities for the deaf and empowering the deaf community with mini bus to aid mobility and independence.
“This step will go a long way in promoting the recognition of deaf people and improving our standard of living within the council,” he said.
The council chairman, Mr Sulaimon Kazeem in his response, thanked the association for aligning with his administration agenda and promised to look into their demands.
He advised the public against engaging in any form of discrimination against the deaf people and others with similar status.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Taiwo Hassan, Medical Director of Ikorodu general hospital, promised to partner with Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and Lagos State Health Management Agency toward giving support to the association.
Hassan said the collaboration would foster good relationship to ensure that people with disability get the best health care without discrimination.
“I am here to show solidarity and to support the association as critical stakeholder.
“I understand the challenges, that is why we partnered with LASODA and LASHMA to give you medical services without discrimination, ” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Tola Odusanya, a lecturer at the College of Education, Ijanikin appealed to government at level to recognise sign language as a mode of communication.
He also advocated giving equal opportunity to people living with disability and remember them with scholarships to aid their academic status.
Odusanya advised members of the association to unite and work together as a team.
He reminded the members that deafness is not an insurmountable barrier to greatness, urging them to strive and get better education.
