The Persons Living with Disabilities under the umbrella of Joint National Associations of Persons with Disabilities has urged the Edo state government to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018.

The association made the call On Thursday at a rally in Benin to commemorate this year’s international day of persons with disabilities set aside every December 3 by the United Nations.

They noted that the law would eliminate discrimination, provide right to healthcare, education and allow full integration of persons with disabilities into the society.

Chairperson of the group, Ann Ojuigo said this year’s theme, “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world,” re-echoed calls for inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance and other aspects of life.

Ojuigo, who lamented that persons with disabilities are stigmatized, abandoned and left to rot away in communities across the country, said disability is a global issue and should not be treated lightly.

She said; “We have had issues of disability bill in Edo State. We are here to call on Edo State to emulate its counterparts like Lagos, Plateau and many others. We are reiterating that the bill should become a law so we can have an enabling environment to make us comfortable.”

While commending the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government for the support and recognition of some of her members, she pleaded that it should be evenly distributed to other persons with disabilities.