The Role of NGOs in Advancing The Rights of People with Disabilities

Introduction

People with disabilities constitute a part of the vulnerable among the human races across different societies, including Nigeria as a nation. Their vulnerability emanates from denying education, employment opportunities, and other human rights. They suffer unequal treatment in terms of economic inequality, gender inequality, racial inequality, social class inequality, income inequality, educational inequality, healthcare inequality, age inequality, geographic inequality, political inequality and environmental inequality (United Nations in Aremu and Abiodun, 2023). In buttressing the fate of people with disability, the World Health Organisation (2011) stressed that they experience poorer health outcomes, have less access to education and work opportunities, and are more likely to live in poverty than those without disability. There is a glaring show of discriminatory practices on account of their physical and mental impairment.

Concerns for people with disability had arisen a long time ago concerning their right to unhindered access to public participation. It appears that their demands and claims, which every individual or group should have on society, are curtailed because of prejudiced attitudes towards them, despite international commitment demonstrated in the formation of the United Nations in 1945 and the enunciation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 (Tijani & Oamen, 2010). Among other international commitments and concern for the rights of people with disability were the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability (UNCRPD) in 2006, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1966, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in 1966; International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1983; and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2011.

The commitment and concerns cut across international statutory and non-statutory organisations and have supported regional and national conventions, declarations and promulgations. It is worth noting that countries, sub-regions, and regions are signatories to international statutory organizations. In the African region, there is the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (ACHPR) in 1981 and the Organization of African United (now AU) convention (Imam & Abdulraheem – Mustapha, 2016; Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019; Ashiru, 2023). Apart from the vague provision of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without a specific target on people with disability, a laudable commitment was the enacting of the Nigerians with Disability Decree 1993 (now Act) and further the Nigerian Disabilities Act 2018 (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2018; Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019).

Currently, there are the National Commission for People with disability and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Justice, supposedly meant to defend, protect and provide for people with disability in Nigeria. With all the declarations and enactments, government enforcement towards them has been limited over time because of the limited capacity to meet the development needs of her people (Chuku & Ogoloma, 2012). The gap that exists has necessitated the establishment of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) right from the grassroots, the people themselves, to help themselves in areas the government is unable to help, having identified the social, economic, cultural and political problems of the people. Kandyomunda et al. (2003) averred that NGOs are known to have played a significant role in the development of advocacy and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities worldwide. This paper is a discourse that x-rayed the various roles of NGOs in advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria.

Theoretical Basis

This paper anchored its discourse on the social constructivist theory, which focuses on the role of social collectivity in individuals’ learning and development. The theory emphasizes that human development is socially situated, and knowledge is constructed through interaction with others (Vygotsky in McKinley, 2015). This theory explains the process of describing and understanding their world. Derry (1999) upheld that the social constructivist theory was propounded by a Russian Psychologist known as Lev Vygotsky but was popularised after his death. Non-governmental organizations pursue development goals in society, for which the development of people is key. Members of NGOs interact with the environment through different media and get acquainted with the social development of those in the society. They then think of ways to alleviate suffering, meet needs, or create awareness about what others need to know about themselves and their immediate environment. Since the culture and value of the social context are important to understanding people and their world, different environments have peculiar experiences (Amadasun, 2020; Kim, 2001).

Conceptual Clarifications

The Term Non-Governmental Organisation

The term non-governmental organization connotes an organization that does not operate like the government. Chuku and Ogoloma (2012) defined non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as voluntary organizations whose actions are exercised by individuals or groups of individuals without coercion or compulsion. NGOs do not serve the self-interests of members. However, they are concerned in one way or another with disadvantage or the disadvantaged or with concerns and issues detrimental to the well-being, circumstances or prospects of people or society (Ball & Dunn in Chuku & Ogoloma, 2012). The above emphasis is on the formation, membership, operation and target/goal of NGOs; that is, they are formed by people who volunteered themselves; do not just serve the interest of members; concerned including awareness and circumstances/conditions that affect the people/society negatively to contribute to the development of man and his environment.

The World Bank (1991) referred to NGOs as groups or institutions entirely or largely independent of government and are primarily humanitarian or cooperative rather than with commercial objectives. NGOs are non-membership support organizations involved in relief, rehabilitation or community development work (Wagona in Launi, 2016). According to Ewoh (2002), NGOs are non-profit-seeking organizations that engage in various activities. Among them are trade unions, credit unions, religious organizations, cooperatives, women's groups, environment groups, peasant groups, foundations and community groups at the local, national and international levels. They are self-governing private organizations aimed at improving the quality of life for disadvantaged people.

NGOs focus on advocacy and operational efforts on social, political and economic goals, including equity, education, health, environmental protection and human rights (Abanyam and Mnorom, 2020); and partner, collaborate and participate with the government in the development and social change, especially where it is difficult for the government to do so. NGOs encompasses a vast category of groups of organizations and known by different names such as Voluntary Organizations (VOs), Voluntary Agencies (VAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Membership Organisations (MOs), Grassroot Organisations (GROs), Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs), Charities People’s Organisations (CPOs), Non-Governmental Development Organisations (NDOs), Non-Profit Charities, Charitable Organisations, Third Sector, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Public Service Contractor (PSC), Non-Government Intuitions (NGI), Quasi-Non-Governmental Organisations, Transnational Social Movement Organisations, Grassroot Organisations, Self-Help Organisations, Non-State Actor (NSAs), Independent Sector among others.

As private organizations, NGOs consider colouration and groupings religious, scientific, cultural, philanthropic, technical, or economic. They can be broadly grouped into relief (needy) or developmental-oriented but not commercial or profit-oriented (Launi, 2016). There is a further classification of NGOs based on orientation—charitable, service, participatory, and empowering orientation—and level of operation—community, citywide, national, and international levels.

An NGO can be formed based on the mixed concerns of people in society. For example, one formed by the needy with an empowerment orientation operates within a small community. However, its goal is human development, which is the real essence of development, whether physical or non-physical. NGOs have the following common characteristics.

• They are established through initiatives of people in the society called volunteers.

• They are independent of the government and controlled by directors or trustees.

• They do not have a profit motive.

• They render services/provide projects to uplift people and communities.

• They influence the government's decision-making process or pull the government to the people’s development needs.

• They are financed mainly through grants from donors (domestic and international).

The Concept of People with Disability

The Oxford Dictionary of Current English defines disability as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movement, senses or activities. It is a disadvantageous state of a human's mental and physical condition. Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (2006) described disability as the condition in which physical and social barriers prevent a person with impairment from taking part in the normal life of their community on an equal level with others. From the health perspective, the World Health Organization (WHO) (2001) classified disability into impairment (physical damage) in a person’s body structure or function or mental functioning as in loss of a limb, loss of vision (eyes) or memory loss; activities limitation where a person has difficulty seeing, hearing, walking or problem-solving even the body organs appear undamaged; and participation restriction in normal daily activities as in working, engaging in social and recreational activities, and obtaining health care and preventive services. Disability can be physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, emotional, psychological, or combined.

The United Nations (CRPD) (2006) defined persons (people) with disabilities as people who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2013) also adopted a broad definition describing a person with a disability as an individual whose prospects of securing, returning to, retaining and advancing in suitable employment are substantially reduced because of a duly recognized physical, sensory, intellectual or mental impairment. In the two definitions of persons with disabilities, the first concerns interactions with other people, of which employment is inclusive. In contrast, the second concerns employment or labour hiring/engagement. Participation involves various social, economic, cultural, technological, religious, and political activities.

Both definitions cover a broad range of people, including those with overt impairment (such as the blind and deaf) and, those with hidden disabilities (such as diabetes, epilepsy, mental health), and even those with progressive and recurring conditions (such as cancer) (Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019). Based on these definitions, millions of people who suffer from a wide range of impairments are inclusive and can be addressed as persons with disabilities; however, many people with it do not consider themselves as being disabled. It may be present from birth or at any point during a person’s lifetime. WHO (2011) opined that most people will, at some point in their lives, experience one type of disability or the other. The fact that everyone living will experience permanent or temporary impairment at some point indicates that those who survive old age are bound to encounter difficulties in going about their daily activities.

Human Rights and Disabilities in Nigeria

Human rights have been defined by Eze in Ashiru (2023) as the demands or claims that individuals or groups make on society, some of which are protected by law and have become part of some lofty ideals, while others remain aspirations to be attained in the future. In other words, even if there is a majority of what individuals and groups regard as human rights, attaining them is still far from being realized in some climes. Human rights are recognized and protected by several international human rights instruments; foremost among them was the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in 1948. Article 2 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights emphasizes equality and freedom of all humans in all spheres of life, social, economic, cultural, political, legal, educational, and religious, among others, and that no person should be discriminated against on any ground (United Nations, 1948).

The fundamental human rights can be summarized thus: all human beings are free and equal; no discrimination, right to life; no slavery; no torture and inhuman treatment, the same right to use law; equality before the law; right to be treated by the court; no unfair detainment; right to trial; innocent until proved guilty; right to privacy; freedom to movement and residence; right to asylum; right to nationality; right to marry and have family, right to own things; freedom of thought and religion; freedom of opinion and expression; right to assemble; right to democracy; right to social security; right to work; right to rest and holiday; right to social service, right to education; right to cultural art; freedom around the world; subject to law; and human right cannot be taken away (Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nation, 2015). Based on the United Nations’ Articles on Human Rights, member states (countries) grafted their fundamental rights in their constitutions.

The prevalence rate of disability in Nigeria has been estimated at 15 per cent of its population, which numbers 25 million persons living with one form of disability or the other (Link-Nigeria, 2021). It is suggestive that almost every household has experienced disability in at least one member. People with disabilities are human beings, and their rights are also covered in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the various constitutions of the UN member states. The United Nations (CRPD) (2006) adequately provides the rights and protection of disabled persons. Nigeria is no exception in drawing her legal system concerning disabled persons from international and regional conventions, treaties, charters, protocols, and legislations; however, the issue lies in giving effect to them or enforcement. In as much as people with disabilities are human beings and citizens, the position of the Nigerian constitution towards their rights and protections still appears and remains vague (Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019).

The Nigerians with Disability Decree 1993 (now Act) was the first indigenous legislation specifically targeted at the protection and security of Nigerians with disability in various facets of life: health services, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, housing, accessibility, transportation, social support services, sports and recreation, telecommunication, voting access and legal services (Akhihiero, 2011; Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019). Some of the provisions, according to the Act (Federal Republic of Nigeria (1993) that disabled persons shall be provided in all public health institutions free medical and health services, including general medical needs, disabled persons shall be provided in all public educational institutions education at all levels; the government shall improve facilities and equipment in educational institutions to facilitate the education of the disabled; the government shall take measures to promote the employment of the disabled; all employers of labour shall reserve for the disabled not less than 10 percent of the work force; government shall at all times that all policy guidelines for housing take into consideration the needs of the disabled; a disabled person shall be entitled to free transportation by bus, rail or any other conveyance (other than air travel) that serves the general public needs.

Imam and Abdulraheem-Mustapha (2016) noted that even under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, people with disabilities are accorded distinction rights equal to other citizens. This indicates that the disabled are meant to enjoy rights and freedom covering education, healthcare, transportation, accommodation, and employment without discrimination. In recognition, President Buhari appointed a person with a disability as a Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters in 2016 to promote disability rights (Ibekwe & Aduma, 2019). Today, the Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) is

Non-Governmental Organisations’ Role for Defending and Promoting Rights of the Disabled

The fact that NGOs are referred to as the third sector/ government means that they partner and collaborate with the government to meet the needs of the people in society, especially where the government cannot do so. They build bridges among themselves and between themselves and the needy, disadvantaged and less privileged to better their lives and environment. Disability NGOs are known to render advocacy services to a disabled person to raise awareness toward their rights to education, health, social warfare services, capacity building/empowerment, agriculture, construction and literacy, rehabilitation and environmental protection

• Education: In line with the legal framework, to consider the special needs and requirements of the disabled in the formulation and design of educational policies and programmes, various categories of Disabled persons' organizations as non-governmental organizations were consulted in 2016 in the National Policy on Inclusive Education across the states and Federal levels (Ibekwe & Adamu, 2019).

• Health: Abanyam and Mnorom (2020) acknowledged that the main task of NGOs in the health system is to provide services and health advocacy to sensitize disabled persons. These include medical, social, and psychological services, care and nursing, information, services, and training.

• Social Welfare Services: A good number of NGOs are engaged in working with the disabled, orphans, widows, children and others who are affected by natural or man-made calamities (Abanyam, 2005). They engage in such specific activities as the management of orphanages, provision of mobility to the disabled, conducting eye screening and provision of reading glasses for the blind, relief services and materials in the form of food, clothes, medicine, nutrition, shelter, transportation, water supply and funding.

• Capacity Building/Empowerment: The target here is to lift the disadvantaged from poverty, and this involves NGOs putting up alleviation programmes to train the disabled in skills and generate income (Abanyam, 2005). Rath (2019) affirmed that NGOs have become agencies for poverty reduction and capacity building. They initiate local training in carpentry, barbering, sewing, and shoe production for disabled persons.

• Agriculture, Construction, and Literacy: Development NGOs operating in agriculture engage in such areas as snailing, farming, horticulture, and fishery for certain groups of the disabled (Abanyam, 2005). They often concentrate on building the community's self-help capacity and making the people able to decide on their own income.

• Rehabilitation: NGOs are involved in rehabilitating community centres, health centres, and other public centres to the comfort and accessibility of the disabled. For example, during elections, there are NGOs dedicated to providing a convenient atmosphere and materials for certain disabled people, like those with reduced vision functioning.

• Environmental protection: NGOs have helped to understand the effects of climate change on the social and environmental externalities of business activities. They help the disabled be conscious of their environment and maximize environmental resources to suit their conditions.

Conclusion

From the foregoing discourse, it is obvious that man has always come together to solve the problems posed to them by nature, and NGOs constitute one of such organized bodies of intervention groups. In society, there are vulnerable groups, and among them are children, disabled and women. People with disabilities are part of the human society; they have rights and freedom to enjoy. NGOs of different categories have been at the forefront of rendering advocacy, empowerment and development services to disadvantaged groups, and people with disabilities have been enjoying these services because of the discriminatory treatment of people in society. People learn about their situation and conditions and try to better their lives. NGOs have contributed towards this end to people with disabilities in Nigeria in the following ways: health, social welfare, capacity building/empowerment, agriculture, literacy, construction, rehabilitation, and environmental protection.

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