CITAB demands urgent action on affordable assistive technology, inclusive employment for PWDs

As the world marks the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has called on the Nigerian government to urgently tackle the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired citizens, particularly the prohibitive cost of assistive technology and the lack of effective enforcement of inclusive employment policies.

Since 1992, the UN has observed December 3 as IDPD to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all areas of society and to raise awareness of the barriers they continue to face. The observance serves as a reminder of the global commitment to create a more inclusive and accessible world.

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In a statement released in Lagos and signed by CITAB’s Executive Chairman, Jolomi George Fenemigho, the organization highlighted the daily struggles of visually impaired Nigerians. Fenemigho described the situation as devastating, noting that “something as simple as an affordable braille device or a screen reader is placed out of reach by steep costs. When I see a young, ambitious blind person locked out of opportunity simply because our systems make basic tools unaffordable, it’s not only heartbreaking, it feels unjust. We cannot call ourselves an inclusive society while these barriers persist.”

He further explained that, while CITAB invests in training and empowering visually impaired individuals, many continue to face rejection in workplaces or are given empty assurances due to inaccessible systems. “It’s not enough to give us skills if nobody will give us a chance to use them. Every time I am reminded that the law requires at least a 5 percent employment quota for people with disabilities in public service, I ask when will this be more than just a number on paper? We want to contribute, to work, to shape our country’s future, and we should not be denied that chance,” he added.

CITAB identified two major areas requiring urgent attention. First, the high cost of assistive devices such as screen readers, braille machines, and tactile graphics equipment continues to exclude many blind Nigerians from education and employment. Fenemigho said, “It pains me to witness bright minds being held back, not by their abilities, but by the price tag on the very tools they need. I’m not asking for charity. What I and many others want is the chance to prove ourselves, just level the playing field and watch what we can do.”

Second, despite the progress in digital skills training for the blind, countless talented individuals remain shut out of the workforce due to workplace inaccessibility and employer indifference. Fenemigho added, “We feel the sting of rejection every time we hit a wall set up by systems that weren’t built for us or by employers who still doubt what we’re capable of. It’s exhausting, but we refuse to give up. We need our leaders to enforce the law, not just announce it, and to hold those who block our progress accountable.”

In response to these challenges, CITAB called for concrete government action. The organization urged the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to introduce zero tariffs and VAT exemptions on all accredited assistive technology products to reduce costs and increase access to education and employment.

CITAB also called on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, to enforce the 5 percent employment quota in all public institutions and establish rigorous systems for tracking and reporting progress.

Additionally, all government and private sector digital platforms, as well as educational institutions, must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to ensure that visually impaired individuals can fully apply their skills.

CITAB further urged disability-focused organizations, advocates, and allies to unite on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing that “If we come together and keep pushing, real change is within reach. No one group can win this fight alone, but together, we can finally build a Nigeria where no one is left behind.”

Fenemigho concluded with a heartfelt appeal: “For me, and for so many others, this is personal. Our dignity and dreams are tied to being treated as equals, a chance to work, to learn, and to thrive. We are not asking for favors; we are demanding our rights. The laws exist, the skills are there, and the technology is real. All we need now is the real commitment from those in power to make inclusion more than just a slogan. Let’s make 2025 and beyond the time we finally open the doors that have been closed for too long.”