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As part of ongoing efforts to create an inclusive society and recognize the need to provide equal opportunities for all, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has donated assistive devices to People with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa Ikeja, with the theme: “Social Inclusion: Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Every Person with Disabilities in Lagos State,” on 30th December 2024, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal stated that the gesture aligns with the state’s Special People’s Law and social inclusivity policy.
In her words, “The Agency remains resolute in its commitment to consistently provide support systems for individuals with disabilities to enhance their overall well-being.”
The donated devices include wheelchairs, folding sports wheelchairs, simple fold electric wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, walking sticks, walking aids with four legs, guide canes, motorized recliner chairs, Cerebral Palsy chairs, and arm crutches, among others.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal explained that the devices represent freedom, enabling individuals to become active participants in society. The initiative focuses particularly on those in the physical disability cluster, some Persons with visual impairments as well as children and trainees at various centers.
She further explained, “The initiative focuses particularly on those in the physical disability cluster, some Persons with visual impairments as well as children and trainees at various centres including the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities in Owutu Ikorodu, the Diamond Centre, and the Trustees of Voice Salvation Charity Foundation. These centres play a pivotal role in the development and empowerment of people with disabilities, and we are proud to support them with the resources they need to continue their work.
The goal of this programme is simple: to uplift and support people with disabilities and create a society where everyone, regardless of their physical challenges, has equal access to opportunities and resources”.
The General Manager encouraged PWDs to regularly undertake health checks to monitor their health status. She assured that the Agency would continue its advocacy efforts in the coming year, forging more partnerships with stakeholders to further advance the cause of individuals with physical disabilities in the State.
Some of the beneficiaries at the event commended the state government for its efforts in creating equal opportunities for all citizens, improving the quality of life for PWDs, and providing a livable environment for people with disabilities in the State.
