The House of Representatives has started looking into why the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 is not being followed, especially when it comes to making public buildings accessible for people with disabilities.
The lawmakers are unhappy that government bodies, as well as private companies, haven’t been following the rules set out in the law. They’ve also asked for an investigation into how building plans are approved without considering whether they have features like ramps or elevators for people with disabilities.
Bashiru Dawodu, who chairs the House Committee on Disability Matters, explained that the law guarantees people with disabilities the right to access public spaces just like everyone else. This includes things like sidewalks, elevators, and toilets. He pointed out that even though the deadline for making these changes has passed, many public buildings are still not accessible.
