The Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB) Bauchi State Chapter has called on elected representatives, the state government, and stakeholders to address the long-standing unemployment crisis facing blind graduates in the state.
The association decried that despite academic achievements and professional competencies of its members, visually impaired individuals remain largely unemployed due to systemic discrimination, lack of inclusive hiring practices, and inadequate support systems.
In a press statement signed by Shafiu Usman, the Secretary to the Youth Leader, the NAB urged the government to create job training programmes, mentorship schemes, and inclusive hiring policies that accommodate blind graduates.
“We believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities, regardless of their abilities,” the statement read, emphasizing the need to promote equal access to both education and employment.
The statement added that in Bauchi State, visually impaired graduates continue to struggle against a system that largely overlooks their potential.
Despite possessing the necessary qualifications, they remain excluded from mainstream employment opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of social and economic marginalisation, it added.
This issue, recently highlighted in a press release by NAB, underscores the urgent need for inclusive employment policies and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The key demands of the NAB cited in the statement include; inclusive employment Practices, accessible education, scholarships, and appointment of Persons with Disabilities:
“We urge the government to appoint persons with disabilities to key positions, including the Office of Special Adviser (SA) on Disability Matters and legislative aides on disability issues.”
Unemployment Among Blind Graduates
The Nigeria Disability Research Project Action research conducted in December 2021, shows that PWDs are oppressed and discriminated against in employment opportunities, education, and other socioeconomic engagements in Nigeria.
Despite the Nigerian Disability Act, which mandates public and private institutions to allocate at least 5% of job slots to PWDs, enforcement remains weak.
Blind graduates often find themselves rejected from job opportunities not because of a lack of competence but due to stereotypes and an absence of necessary workplace accommodations such as screen-reader software, Braille materials, and mobility support.
NAB urged both public and private employers to embrace workplace diversity. Bauchi state and Nigeria as a whole could adopt strategies, to ensure that organizations provide reasonable accommodations and accessible work environments.
Education Accessibility
The NAB also stressed the need for accessible education, advocating for materials such as Braille books, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation in schools.
Without an inclusive educational system, blind students face difficulties acquiring skills necessary for employment.
A UNESCO report indicated that Nigeria still lacks the necessary framework to support students with disabilities in higher education.
The report cited that most tertiary institutions in Nigeria are not equipped with assistive technologies or disability support centres, further limiting the opportunities for blind students to compete in an increasingly digital job market.
For example, blind students at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi have reported challenges accessing digital learning resources, as most university libraries and e-learning platforms do not accommodate visually impaired users.
If accessibility in education is not prioritized, the employment gap for blind graduates will only continue to widen.
Political Inclusion
Beyond employment and education, the NAB’s statement also called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political appointments.
The association specifically urged the government to appoint Special Advisers on Disability Matters and legislative aides focusing on disability inclusion.
The lack of representation in governance has long been a stumbling block for disability advocacy in Nigeria.
Currently, only a handful of PWDs hold political offices in the country, making it difficult to push for policies that address their needs.
If persons with disabilities are included in decision-making positions, they can drive policies that ensure full societal integration.
Govt, Stakeholders’ Role
The Bauchi State Government has made some strides in supporting persons with disabilities, but there remains a significant gap between policy and implementation.
The Bauchi State Disability Rights Law passed in 2021, mandates inclusive policies in education, employment, and public infrastructure.
However, enforcement remains weak due to a lack of funding and political will.
For analysts, if Bauchi State and Nigeria at large are to achieve a truly inclusive society, inclusive employment practices must be prioritised alongside accessible education, and political representation for persons with disabilities.
The responsibility falls on the government, corporate organizations, and society at large to champion these reforms and ensure that this less-privileged part of the populace is given the opportunities they rightfully deserve.
As the NAB aptly put it, “Let us work together to create a more inclusive society.” Now is the time for action.
