In Commemoration Of 2013 World Disabled Day: Nigerian Association Of Physically Handicapped Persons

1. Every December 3rd has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate International day of persons with disabilities in the whole world. The theme for this year's celebration is “Breaking Barriers, Open Doors; for an inclusive society”

2. The major objective of the theme is to provide an opportunity to further create awareness about challenges facing persons with disabilities and to advance the global efforts to promote accessibility, removal of all types of barriers to realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the society and to shape the future of development for all.

3. Over one billion people or approximately 15% of the world population live with some forms of disability. Persons with disabilities in this part of the world are faced with physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of the society.

4. In most cases , they are restricted to participate equitably, disproportionately represented among the world's poorest and as a result they are being deprived equal access to basic resources such as; qualitative education, good remunerated jobs, health care, legal support and personal integrity, economic independence, social security, recreation and sports etc.

5. In consideration of the above identified barriers, this year's celebration also calls for equalization of opportunity to all. It simply means that there should be a process through which the various system of the society and the environment such as services, activities, information and documentation are made available to all particularly to persons with disabilities. It is also implies that the needs of each and every individual are of equal importance, that those needs must be made the basis for the planning of societies and that all resources must be employed in such a way as to ensure that every individual has equal opportunity and participation.

6. Persons with disabilities are members of the society and have the right to remain within their local communities without being humiliated or marginalized. They should receive the support they need within the ordinary structures of education, health, employment, access to physical environment, encouragement to get married to the person of their choice, and other social services.

7. There is need also to remind all persons with disabilities especially in Anambra State that they have greater obligations in breaking most of their immediate barriers by first of all understand the basic laws of human existence which is finding themselves, knowing themselves and being themselves and thereby stop living in a dungeon of negative thinking because all the ingredients of success are right there inside them. It is very important that parents or relatives of persons with disabilities should encourage them to discover their potentials which God deposited in them that made them so different from the common people so that everyone will look at them in astonishment and glorify the name of the Lord.

8. Finally, Government should at all times formulate policies that will accommodate the needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities. Thanks be to God that His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi the Executive Governor of Anambra State since the inception of his administration has been making provisions annually to empower this special citizens with equipment and tools worth millions of naira that will help them to become economic independent.

Above all, the Governor has been in the front line in breaking the barrier of stagnating persons with disabilities in the civil service in one position for many years in Anambra State and today we have many persons with different disabilities holding the post of a Director in their various ministries.

9. These and more are being expected from individuals, co-operate organizations, churches, communities, every tiers and organs of Government so that persons with disabilities will assume their full responsibility ass members of the society.