Persons with Disabilities are Stakeholders in the society- PS

Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will partner   with the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Cluster (IDD) because persons with disabilities are key stake holders in the society.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien who represented the Commissioner during a courtesy visit by Executive and Members of IDD, in Benin City, said  the Ministry will lend a hand of fellowship to them.

"As a Ministry, we ensure that persons with disabilities are taken care of because they are  key stakeholders in society," she noted.

According to the Permanent Secretary, efforts should also be made by the Association to seek partnership and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the children get access to affordable education and health care.

The IDD State Coordinator in Edo State, Mr. Onome Otueroro said the Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN) is a National Organization and umbrella  body for all IDD.

"The Association is a  'Parent Advocacy Group' for our Children and Persons with IDD and the members are made up of responsible Parents of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Professionals, Care-givers, NGOs and Individuals with genuine passion that will make life better for these our children."

According to him, "These disabilities include, Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral palsy, Dyslexia, Hydrocephalus, Microcephalus and other Developmental Disabilities.

"It is a known fact that among all the categories of Persons with Disabilities, those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are the most vulnerable. They cannot, in most cases, claim their rights or represent their own interests like people with other types of disabilities such as visual, hearing and physical disabilities, hence the need to have reliable parents as their representatives at any time.

"It is our desire to expand the  Association, since it is a National body, to all the States in Nigeria. 

We are aware in some States that some parents with Children and Adults with IDD have come together as Chapters in all States in Nigeria."