The Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN), with support from the Disability Rights Fund, convened a three-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting to validate a draft policy aimed at promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nigeria.
The meeting, held under the theme “Policy Development for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disability,” brought together government officials, advocates, civil society, academia, and security agencies to finalize a framework for presentation to the government.
Mrs Omotola, National President of AIDDN, emphasized the initiative’s goal stating that the policy must address critical areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and social inclusion, paving the way for a society where everyone can thrive.
She urged parents to bring forward their children and adults with IDD and also called for collective action to ensure that their rights, welfare and inclusion are recognized and respected by the society and government of the country.
Dr Ogechi Nwokedi, AIDDN’s Board of Trustees Chairman, highlighted the need for collaboration across disciplines to promote rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disability generally.
“This group of persons many times in the past have been neglected by several groups and it’s so important that there is a mitigating and professional kind of collaboration whereby everybody comes together from all disciplines to support people that have intellectual and developmental disabilities,” she said.
Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, a member of AIDDN’s Board of Trustees, noted that the policy aims to address the marginalization of persons with IDD, who are often overlooked even within disability communities.
He said, “evidence has shown that IDD are the most marginalized even among the disability clusters and this is the reason for the workshop.”
Dr. Adebayo called for stakeholders’ input to refine and validate the draft policy before its submission to the government, alongside developing an action plan to implement it within a set timeframe.
Dr. Adeleke Philip, a lecturer from the University of Calabar’s Department of Special Education and AIDDN team member, provided insights into IDD, listing conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and ADHD.
He outlined causes, including hereditary factors, prenatal issues like alcohol consumption or malnutrition, and postnatal factors like accidents or lack of a stimulating environment. “Early intervention and addressing these factors can reduce the incidence of disabilities, though total eradication is challenging,” he said.
“There are several causes of disability. One of them is hereditary, It can be inherited from parents but very insignificant percentage, maybe between 5-10. Others are consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman, smoking by a pregnant woman, abuse of drugs and misuse of drugs during pregnancy, Malnutrition, accident during pregnancy, infections during pregnancies, lack of ventilated or stimulating environment during pregnancy, accident during delivery, prolong labour which can lead to the shortage of oxygen to the brain during delivery, which is one of the prominent causes of epilepsy,” he added.
Dr Adeleke noted that children must be in a stimulating environment because to enhance the brain development, develop properly, and expand in knowledge and understanding.”
“If we can guide against all those factors, and necessary steps are taken in time, it will reduce the incidence of all disabilities. Though total eradication is not possible because there are some disabilities that we don’t even know the causes,” he said.
On the second day, stakeholders, including government officials, health workers, education experts, and parents, reviewed the draft policy, proposing additions and revisions to ensure it meets the needs of persons with IDD.
The finalized document will be submitted to the government for approval, aiming to create a more inclusive Nigeria.
AIDDN is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the support, respect, and opportunities they deserve.