Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive policies and programmes that improve the quality of life for persons with deafblindness. In collaboration with the Deafblind Inclusion and Advocacy Network (DIAN), a policy roundtable was organised to commemorate the International Deafblind Awareness Week 2026 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The event, themed "Leaving No One Behind: Enhancing Health, Education and Rehabilitation Training for Nigerians with Deafblindness," provided a platform for stakeholders to review progress made in advancing the rights of persons with deafblindness and identify practical strategies for strengthening inclusion. The roundtable brought together government officials, disability advocates, healthcare professionals, educators, development partners and members of the deafblind community.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Ali-Balogun, reaffirmed the state's commitment to inclusive education, stressing that the government was moving "beyond integration to true inclusion." Represented by the Ministry's Inclusive Education Desk Officer, Mr. Azeez Aliu, the Commissioner commended DIAN for championing the rights of one of society's most marginalised yet resilient groups. "A child who cannot fully see or hear does not lack intelligence or potential. What they lack is access to early identification, tactile learning, assistive technology, trained interveners and a system that understands their communication needs," he said. Ali-Balogun added that the state government is strengthening inclusive education through curriculum adaptation, Braille resources, tactile sign language, teacher aides, capacity building for teachers, and improved early screening and intervention, while equipping learners with deafblindness with the skills needed to live independent and productive lives. "To our students with deafblindness here today, you are seen, you are heard, you are valued. Lagos State has not forgotten you, and your future matters to us," he added.
The General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, represented by the Director of Social Development and Integration, Mr. Kelani Akeem, said persons with deafblindness continue to face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, education and social services. She noted that the policy dialogue was organised to review progress, identify existing gaps and develop practical strategies that would strengthen policies and interventions aimed at improving access to healthcare, inclusive education, assistive technology and rehabilitation services. Her remarks resonated with global statistics, as the World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, around 30 million Nigerians could be affected by some form of dual sensory loss, yet access to specialist services, including trained interveners and communication support, remains severely limited.
Speaking earlier, the Founder and Executive Director of Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation, Mr. Solomon Okelola, said the Deafblind Inclusion and Advocacy Network (DIAN), launched on October 8, 2024, was established to advance the academic, health and social inclusion of persons with deafblindness. "Our focus is on empowering persons with deafblindness towards self-actualisation, independence and productive participation in society," he said. Okelola called for specialised training for teachers and healthcare professionals, increased funding for assistive devices and rehabilitation services, improved data collection to support evidence-based policymaking, and stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations and the private sector to ensure that no one is left behind. His call for action reflects a growing consensus among disability advocates that systemic change is needed to address the unique challenges faced by persons with deafblindness, a condition that combines both vision and hearing impairment, often leaving individuals isolated and without access to essential services.
The International Deafblind Awareness Week, observed annually in the last week of June, aims to raise awareness about deafblindness and the specific challenges faced by individuals with this dual sensory impairment. The week serves as a platform for advocacy, education and celebration of the resilience of persons with deafblindness. The collaboration between LASODA and DIAN marks a significant step forward in advancing the rights and inclusion of this marginalised group in Lagos State, which is home to a significant proportion of Nigeria's population with disabilities. The Lagos State Government has continued to prioritise disability inclusion through various policies and programmes, including the establishment of LASODA and the adoption of inclusive education and health policies.
The roundtable also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the progress made since the adoption of the Lagos State Disability Law, which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and provides a legal framework for their inclusion. The event concluded with a shared commitment to sustained advocacy, stronger partnerships and concrete actions to ensure that persons with deafblindness are not left behind in the state's development agenda. The Lagos State Government, through LASODA, has assured the public of its continued dedication to promoting the rights and well-being of all persons with disabilities, including those with deafblindness, and has called on all stakeholders to join hands in building a more inclusive and accessible society.
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