CJID Makes Case For Persons With Disabilities

The Center for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) has tasked the media on better representation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in their reportage, as news that portrays them as vulnerable do more harm than good.

The Deputy Director, CJID, Busola Ajibola, made the call at a two days training on disability reporting organised in collaboration with Disability Right Advocacy Center (DRAC), Inclusive Friends Association, (IFA) and The Albino Foundation (TAF) in Abuja.

Ajibola stated that reports on persons with disabilities mist be inclusive and sustainable, as disability can be acquired and not neccesarily from conception. 

He added that writing stories on PWDs could be solving a situation for oneself as some disabilities are acquired in later life.

"There are cases where teachers have reportedly beaten student with disabilities because they seem to not catch up with teachings.

"This will not help the child, rather they lose their confidence.

"Teachers need to be trained on how to manage children with disability as a trained teacher will understand that flogging the child only worsens the situation.

"Policymakers are not helping much in this situation as policies passed are yet to be implemented.

"Take for instance the Disability Right Act passed since 2019. PWDs still suffer neglect irrespective of the fact that we have laws that have been passed that can address this.

Ajibola admonished that journalism is connected to human rights and dignity and this should be a core value of every reporter. 

He said reports should be carried out to dignify and ensure they mirror the community reported.

"When we exclude some particular set of persons in our reporting, we have actually lost them.

"When you want to tell the story of PWDs, tell it with their words, reach out to people who live the reality."