Disability Group Tasks Government On Restriction Of Career Choice

The Chief Executive Officer, Albino Foundation, Jake Ekpelle has called on the government and relevant authorities to allow persons with disabilities pursue their career choice without restriction.

Ekpelle made this known on Friday at the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for blind candidate,initiated by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in collaboration with JAMB Equal Opportunity Group in Abuja.

According to him, "there are certain subjects persons with disability are not allowed to read, that should not be the case,let the person who is desirous to pursue a particular course or profession be allowed to do so.

"Because you are blind, they ask you not to read mathematics or pursue a career in sciences,this should not be, it is best for the person to try and fail, and it is said that you have failed, than to say you shouldn't.

"I think this is the highest level of educational discrimination.

"There is need to carry all persons with disability along, the blind,deaf,physically challenged as well as persons with albinism.

While calling on the Board to expand the scope of involvement, Ekpelle stressed the need to include all cluster head of persons with disability in the committee to bring their various issues, adding, persons with disability should explore this available opportunity and key into it instead of living in denial, as this is a better inclusive  platform, conducive for persons with disability.

On his part General Manager/Chief Executive Officer National Theater,Iganmu Lagos, Prof. Sunday Ododo, disclosed that the initiative by JAMB is set to create equal opportunity for persons living with disability as well as  an enabling examination environment.

"The JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOP) started in 2017 with four centers in Lagos, Kano, Enugu and Abuja, with the aim of making exams centers closer to candidate, we also have centers in Kebbi, Yola, Jos, Benin, Bauchi, and the rest with JAMB bearing the cost to the venue."

Today we have a total of 11.

"When the candidate indicate while filling their JAMB form that they are blind their information is forwarded to the JEOP and a proper and thorough screening is made to ensure that information provided is true.

"This group was constituted to deliberate on how best to handle candidate with disability as over time it was notice that their output was not really good,so this arrangement was made to help them excel in their academic pursuit.

"We do not just stop our assistance here, we monitor their performance as they go into higher institutions, and I am glad to say they have been tremendous success stories as most of them do very well even better than those without disability.

One of the participant, Danladi Peter, who lost his sight in 2011, stated that the examiners and coordinators, were good to them,as they consider their disability and were patient when reading out thequestions.

Peter said, "Before the examination we were given orientation as a guideline, they take a question twice or some times three times to ensure that we all understand.

"They are patient with everyone,no harsh words, making the process seamless for all of us," he said. 

The highlight of the event was the presentation of Braille, a writing slate for the blind to all candidates with disability at the center.