Stakeholders in the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) community and technology experts have called for more inclusion in the digital space and all areas of society.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a seminar on “Digital Skills for a Digital Future for PwDs”.
The event was organized by Empower PwDs Africa.
No fewer than 50 representatives from different PwD clusters – the deaf, blind, physically challenged, and persons with albinism – participated in the training.
Love Abati-Sobulo, Founder of Empower PwDs Africa, said the call for inclusion in the digital space was necessary due to the digitalization of the economy and the world.
“We are in a world where everyone needs to leverage technology to optimize their skills, businesses, or products so that they can have financial freedom and independence.
“This is why we invited seasoned experts in the digital space to teach them various aspects of digitalization, product management, computer programming, and other digital skills.
“At Empower PwDs Africa, we believe that no one should be stigmatized or discriminated against based on their challenges. They should be given equal rights and opportunities to succeed,” she said.
Abati-Sobulo charged governments, corporate organizations, individuals, and employers of labor to give PwDs equal opportunities, saying they are capable of producing results like every other able person.
“We need to give them equal rights and privileges to fully integrate them into society.
“They are everywhere around us. We must be aware and educated that there is more to them than their disabilities,” she said.
The technology experts said there were various opportunities in the digital space that everyone including PwDs could maximize for financial independence.
Mr. Adeola Adebanjo, Head of Business Systems Support at 9mobile, said that every industry was leveraging digital technologies to maximize business outcomes and improve customer experience.
Adebanjo, therefore, urged the participants to challenge themselves by learning digital skills such as programming, product development and management, project management, and business and data analytics.
He said they should take steps to fit into the digital space by identifying their area of interest, conducting research, acquiring knowledge through training and courses, and building networks of people.
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Mr. Oluremi Adekanmbi, General Manager of Engineering, Crown Interactive Ltd., said that the Nigerian society was not doing enough to ensure inclusivity for PwDs in society.
Adekanmbi said that many PwDs shy away from taking opportunities in the technology space because they think they might not succeed.
“We need to keep motivating and mentoring them to get into tech and tap into their potential,” he said.
Mrs. Ogheneovo Nwachukwu, a Product Manager at Huawei, urged them not to be averse to technological skills but to be open-minded to learn and take advantage of opportunities, especially in the digital space.
Nwachukwu said that acquiring digital skills had become more pertinent as many companies now hire people to work remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also urged governments and corporate organizations and employers to provide more opportunities for PwDs to ensure full inclusion and integration into society.
Mr. Omotolani Ojuri, the Chairman, of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, emphasized the importance of having digital skills, saying it would help reduce the mobility and accessibility challenges for PwDs.
“One of the major challenges for PwDs is mobility and accessibility. For PwDs, having digital skills will help reduce the rate at which they move around.
“COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we interact, work, and live. Some things will still come up and alter the norm. It could be government policies or natural disasters.
“Therefore, we cannot afford to remain where we are, we need to move with the digital trend and sharpen our digital skills,” he said.
Mr. Oluwarotimi Adeniyi, the Chairman, of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability, Lagos Chapter, commended the organizers for exposing them to the skills needed to succeed in the digital space.
He urged the government and corporate organizations to do more to ensure a more inclusive society for PwDs.
Oluwakemi Odusanya, Program Officer, Nigerian Association of the Blind, urged employers to ensure inclusivity in their organizations by providing the necessary resources and facilities for PwDs to thrive.
Odusanya also encouraged PwDs who are seeking employment not to be bothered about being rejected by organizations but to leverage remote opportunities.
“With these digital skills being taught today, one can be at home and still work for multi-national companies remotely where they don’t have to be physically present and still produce results,” she said.
