A Non-Governmental Organisation, Disability Not a Barrier Initiative, (DINABI) has urged the media to dispel negative stereotypes and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
This was the focal point of a “One-Day Training Workshop on Disability Inclusion and Media Accessibility” for PWDs organised by DINABI with support from Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
The Executive Director of DINABI, Olajide Funso, in his opening remarks hinted that the workshop was designed to strengthening the capacity of the media to report persons with disabilities positively.
The media is also enjoined to ensure accurate and balanced portrayal of disability, as part of everyday life rather than being seen as objects of pity and charity.
Olajide enjoined the media to take advantage of the opoorruhuties abound in modern technology to make their various platforms accessible to the PWD community .
According to him the media could be a vital instrument in raising awareness, countering stigma and misinformation, adding that it can also be a powerful force to change societal misconceptions and present persons with disabilities as individuals that are a part of human diversity.
While urging the media to stamp out offensive terms against PWDs ,the DINABI boss also charged media professionals to always present PWDs as superheroes who have accomplished great feats, so as to inspire the non-disabled persons.
“The names used on disability persons is unhealthy, some who do not have tick skin can be emotionally troubled. Don’t use the terms “handicapped,” “differently-abled,” “cripple,” “crippled,” “victim,” “retarded,” “stricken,” “poor,” “unfortunate,” or “special needs.”
“We believe that if the media can join us in this regard to shape the opinion of the people, to change the orientation of the people and they will come to realise that persons living with disability will be included in the society.”
Another resource person, Saheed Oguntade listed some acceptable terms to include: Wheelchair users, person with down syndrome instead of mentally defective, person with autism instead of mentally defective, an amputee/crushes user instead of deformed, non-disabled person instead of normal person, among others.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi assured the group of continued partnership, adding that Journalists in the state are committed to reporting the activities of the PWDs positive light.
The event was graced by other relevant stakeholders like the representatives of the State Ministry of Information, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ),.