Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), a disability inclusive organisation, has unveiled the Accessibility 365(A365) Hall of Fame and Shame project.

The project is to dismantle physical and social barriers preventing Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) from accessing buildings in Abuja.

The Foundation and its partners, Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD), Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), and MacArthur Foundation made this known during the launch of the project in Abuja.

Executive Director and Founder, CSF, Lois Auta, said that the project underscored the need for inclusive infrastructure in Nigeria’s public spaces due to concerns about the inaccessibility of some public facilities to PWDs.

Auta said that a building is deemed inaccessible if it lacks ramps, elevators, dedicated parking space for PWDs and accessible restrooms.

She listed the Federal Secretariat, Abuja – Phase 1, Eagle Square Restaurant, Maitama General Hospital, and Newton Park Hotels and Resort, in Wuse Zone 4 as examples of buildings inaccessible to PWDs.

She listed others to include the National Open University of Nigeria Special Study Centre in Garki 2, and Farmcity Park in Wuse 2.

She also listed Wuse Market, Nwakpabi Plaza in Area 3, Children Amusement Parks and Zoo in Asokoro and St. Jude Catholic Church, Kubwa.

“A recent survey conducted by CSF on infrastructure accessibility in Abuja reveals the substantial challenges PWDs face in accessing public spaces despite national and international policies.

“This leaves PWDs to struggling for basic access. Many buildings in Abuja, including critical government and healthcare facilities, do not meet accessibility standards, highlighting the disconnect between policy and practice.

“The findings led to the development of two distinct ends of the accessibility spectrum,” she said.

According to Auta, while some buildings made it to the hall of shame, others made it to the hall of fame by keeping to the standards.

“Those in the hall of fame include Transcorp Hilton, Cedar Crest Hospital, Safehost Schools, Ecumenical Centre, British High Commission, and Millennium Park.

“Others are Tobix Garden, Drumstix, Standard Chartered Bank and Jabi Lake Mall,” she said.

She said that the primary goals of A365 are to advocate for stronger enforcement of accessibility policies, empower PWDs to become advocates and raise public awareness about the significance of accessible infrastructure.

She said through media campaigns, trainings sessions for women with disabilities and public advocacy, CSF had shown commitment to educating the public and holding duty bearers accountable for creating a truly inclusive society.

“By spotlighting both accessible and inaccessible public spaces in Abuja, we hope to inspire greater commitment to accessible standards across Nigeria.

“This is because without barriers, there is no disability. With our halls of fame and shame, we recognise the progress made and underline the work that still needs to done to make society accessible for everyone,” she said

The Finance Officer of CSF, Janet Alabede, said that under the Nigeria Disability Act 2018, several provisions ensured PWD’s equal access.

Alabede said that it aligned with the national Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

He said that it offered additional guidance on accessibility, adding that despite the legislative strides, the real challenge lied in executing the mandates and ensuring impact in the daily lives of PWDs.

Ms NseAbasi Ufford, Communication and Programme Office, CSF, said that the A365 project focused on making infrastructure accessible by holding establishments accountable and recognsing those that set an example in the field of inclusivity.

Ufford said that it was also a call to action on government, private and Abuja residents to take action towards reinforcing accessibility standards, supporting accessibility improvement, and empowering PWDs.

CSF encouraged policy makers, community leaders and the general public to support the movement through advocacy, funding or collaboration to break down physical and social barriers and make Nigeria accessible for all.

This is to inspire a commitment to inclusive infrastructure, and to foster a collective sense of accountability, Ufford said.(NAN)