CITAD Marks World Disability Day, Advocates for Inclusive Policies

By Mustapha Salisu

In celebration of this year’s World Disability Day, the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) brought together individuals living with disabilities to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about their needs and rights.

Speaking at the event held today at CITAD’s Kano Office, the Executive Director of the Centre, Engr. Y.Z Ya’u emphasized the organization’s longstanding commitment to making inclusivity a tradition in all aspects of governance and societal development.

Represented by the Centre’s Senior Program Officer, Issa Garba, He highlighted that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive Sustainable Future,” aligns with CITAD’s mission of advocating for the full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in leadership, economic empowerment, and decision-making.

“People with disabilities make up about 20% of the country’s population. Excluding them from societal processes is detrimental to national growth and their social well-being,” Garba noted.

“We believe there is nothing for them without them. They know their problems better and can propose solutions with proper guidance and support.”

Ya’u hinted that as part of its commitment to inclusivity, CITAD has established an ICT laboratory dedicated to training persons with disabilities which is aimed at empowering them to thrive in the digital age, enabling economic integration and promoting social participation through digital tools.

Ya’u revealed that CITAD plans to release a policy statement summarizing the challenges and recommendations for improving the lives of persons with disabilities so that the document will serve as an advocacy tool for civil society organizations and government agencies working toward inclusivity.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Ya’u Musa Dantata from the Department of Special Education, Bayero University, Kano, expressed concern that persons with disabilities (PWDs) constitute 16% of the global population, yet they are rarely represented in leadership roles across various sectors.

He highlighted the persistent challenges they face, including discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment.

Prof. Isa called on the Kano State Government to prioritize the employment of PWDs in various sectors, emphasizing that many of them are well-qualified and capable of contributing valuable expertise, particularly in decisions that directly impact their lives.