A Non-Governmental Organisation, Disability Not a Barrier Initiative, (DINABI) has solicited for overwhelming supports of the media for more accessibility for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), saying the move would further reshape the opinion and change the perception of the people about the PWD.
The group made the call on Thursday, in Ado-Ekiti at a “One-Day Training Workshop on Disability Inclusion and Media Accessibility” for PWDs, sponsored by Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
In his opening remark, the Director of DINABI, Mr Olajide Funso said the workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the media to report persons with disabilities positively, stressing on the need for Journalists to make their various platforms accessible to persons living with disabilities.
He added, “The names used on disability persons is unhealthy, some who do not have tick skin can be emotionally troubled.
“We believe that if the media can join us in this regard to shape the opinion of the people, to change the orientation of the people and they will come to realise that persons living with disability will be included in the society.”
While reeling out the common and acceptable terminologies within the disability space, a resource person, Saheed Oguntade listed some to include: Wheelchair users, person with down syndrome instead of mentally defective, person with autism instead of mentally defective, an amputee/crushes user instead of deformed, non-disabled person instead of normal person, among others.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi assured the group of continued partnership, adding that Journalists in the state are committed towards reporting their activities in positive light.
Also at the event were relevant stakeholders, representatives from the State Ministry of Information, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.