Physically challenged lawyers petition NBA over conference

A physically challenged lawyer, Daniel Onwe, has urged the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take lawyers with disabilities
into consideration in planning for the forthcoming annual general
conference.

In a May 24 letter to the Chairman, Technical Committee on NBA
Conference Planning, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), the lawyer urged
the association to make adequate arrangements for those with
special needs.

Onwe, who wrote on behalf of Association of Lawyers with
Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), identified areas of need as venue
accessibility, sign language, Braille version of conference
materials, assistive attendants, parking lots and reduced
conference fees.

He wrote: “The venue of the conference should
be such that would be accessible for persons with disabilities.
Where possible, the buildings to be used should be the ones with
ramps and lifts. Similarly, the dais or platforms should be such
that persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchair, can
access. This is demanded by section 24 of the Lagos State Special
People’s Law, 2011.

“For the benefit of lawyers who have hearing impairment, there
should be at least one sign language interpreter to translate the
proceedings of the conference to sign language. There should also
be some Braille version of, at least, the most important conference
materials for the benefit of lawyers with visual impairment.

“There should also be designated parking lots for persons with
disabilities. We recommend that lawyers with disabilities,
particularly the young ones, should be given full or at least
partial waiver of the conference fees.”

A physically challenged lawyer, Daniel Onwe, has urged the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take lawyers with disabilities
into consideration in planning for the forthcoming annual general
conference.

In a May 24 letter to the Chairman, Technical Committee on NBA
Conference Planning, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), the lawyer urged
the association to make adequate arrangements for those with
special needs.

Onwe, who wrote on behalf of Association of Lawyers with
Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), identified areas of need as venue
accessibility, sign language, Braille version of conference
materials, assistive attendants, parking lots and reduced
conference fees.

He wrote: “The venue of the conference should
be such that would be accessible for persons with disabilities.
Where possible, the buildings to be used should be the ones with
ramps and lifts. Similarly, the dais or platforms should be such
that persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchair, can
access. This is demanded by section 24 of the Lagos State Special
People’s Law, 2011.

“For the benefit of lawyers who have hearing impairment, there
should be at least one sign language interpreter to translate the
proceedings of the conference to sign language. There should also
be some Braille version of, at least, the most important conference
materials for the benefit of lawyers with visual impairment.

“There should also be designated parking lots for persons with
disabilities. We recommend that lawyers with disabilities,
particularly the young ones, should be given full or at least
partial waiver of the conference fees.”