President Muhammadu Buhari has assented the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. Specifically, the Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on ground of disability and imposes fine of N1, 000, 000 for corporate bodies and N100,000 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation.
His Senior Special Assistnt on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, in a statement yesterday in Abuja said the law provides for a five-year transitional period within which public buildings, structures or automobile are to be modified for access and use by persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchairs.
The Act further provides: “Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation facilities and service providers are to make provision for the physically, visually and hearing impaired and all persons howsoever challenged.
“This applies to seaports, railways and airport facilities. The rights and privileges include education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.”
Furthermore, all public organisations are to reserve at least five per cent of employment opportunities for this special category of persons.The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is also established in Section 31 with Executive Secretary as the head, the statement added.
