The Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation (LALIF) has launched the Deaf-Blind Support Initiative Nigeria, the country’s first national association dedicated to promoting the rights and inclusion of individuals with deaf-blindness.
The launch, supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), took place at a conference from October 9 to 11, 2024, with the theme “Out of The Darkness of Marginalization: Nothing About Disabilities or Special Education Any Longer Without Deaf-blindness.”
The conference aimed to raise awareness about disability rights, particularly focusing on persons with deaf-blindness who are often marginalized.
The Chairman of LALIF’s board of trustees, Mr. Kolawole Olugodi expressed gratitude to attendees and hoped that the event would increase understanding of the specific diseases that affect hearing and sight.
Also, a project officer at LALIF, Miss Oluwabukolami Badmus highlighted the organization’s transition to digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic to advocate for disability rights. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired, stressing that accessibility is paramount.
The conference also featured discussions on Usher Syndrome, delivered by Mrs Adejoke Opeyemi-Ogungbire, on the leading cause of deaf-blindness, and the need for training in genetic testing and counseling to improve identification and management.
Professor Isuwa Jurmang from the University of Jos identified that individuals with deaf-blindness are often marginalized and emphasized the importance of consulting with deaf-blind individuals and their families to better grasp their needs and integrate them into disability-related programs.
Furthermore, experts warned to promote fortified foods in Nigeria, which can lead to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. They called for the enforcement of warning labels on processed and prepackaged foods and the implementation of nutrient profile models to protect citizens from unhealthy dietary choices.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant agencies must collaborate to address these issues and ensure the health and well-being of Nigerians.
