By Lanre Oloyede
In a significant milestone, the Association of Accessibility Professionals (AAP) Friday paid a strategic partnership visit to Hon. Dr. Bashir Dawodu, Chairman of the House Committee on Disability in the Nigerian House of Representatives.
This meeting, held at the National Assembly, aimed to establish collaboration for advancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities across the nation.
Hon. Dr. Bashir Dawodu warmly received the AAP delegation and invited Bar. Yusuf Iyodo, the Founder and Board Chairman of AAP, to share the purpose and vision behind the visit.
Bar. Iyodo expressed gratitude for Hon. Dawodu’s impactful work toward disability inclusion in Nigeria, highlighting efforts such as a motion for accessibility compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He noted that such actions align closely with AAP’s objectives, underscoring the association’s goal to support inclusive policies and infrastructures.
According to Barr. Iyodo, the AAP, being the first association of its kind in West Africa, was modeled after the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) headquartered in the United States.
He mentioned that many AAP members are currently pursuing professional certifications through IAAP, with plans to replicate similar certification opportunities within Nigeria.
Bar. Iyodo shared that the organization seeks to serve as an extension of government institutions like Hon. Dawodu’s committee, accelerating the implementation of disability inclusion initiatives.
The visit, he explained, was an opportunity to formally introduce AAP to Hon. Dawodu and propose a partnership for promoting accessibility nationwide.
In his remark, Mr. David Onuh Attah, President of the AAP, provided additional insights into the association’s mission.
Mr. Attah described AAP as an umbrella body for Nigerian organizations and professionals committed to defining, advancing, and enhancing the accessibility of services, products, and environments for individuals with disabilities.
“Our work spans professional development, networking, policy advocacy, digital and web accessibility, inclusive design, assistive technology, and more.
“Our goals align with those of government bodies, CSOs, and professionals, enabling those in the accessibility field to influence change and implement accessible standards in organizations across Nigeria,” he said.
Hon. Dawodu expressed appreciation for AAP’s visit and acknowledged the organization’s forward-thinking mission.
He outlined the scope of his office’s mandate, covering oversight, legislative responsibilities, and advocacy for disability inclusion.
Among the committee’s recent accomplishments, he mentioned ongoing amendments to the disability law and Nigeria’s constitution to address pressing accessibility concerns, the introduction of sign language interpreters during House sessions, and the development of motions focused on empowerment and accessibility.
Pledging full support for a partnership with AAP, Hon. Dawodu commended the expertise within the association and formally incorporated its trustees into an Accessibility Subcommittee of the House of Representatives.
As part of this partnership, he assigned AAP the responsibility of assessing the accessibility of various MDAs currently under House review.
In a further show of commitment, Hon. Dawodu scheduled a meeting between AAP and key stakeholders within the built environment sector.
The AAP delegation also received an impromptu invitation to participate in an ongoing accessibility assessment of certain facilities, marking the beginning of an active collaboration to realize shared goals in advancing accessibility and inclusion across Nigeria.
This strategic visit reflects the growing collaboration between government and professional organizations, working together to transform policies into impactful actions that enhance the lives of people with disabilities across Nigeria.
