Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has endorsed the use of sign language during legislative proceedings in a bid to foster inclusion.
Chairman, House Committee on disability, Bashiru Dawodu, made this known at a parley with the disability community in Abuja.
He said the initiative, which is part of the legislative programme of the speaker, will be implemented soon.
He also said that the House is ready to amend the National Health Insurance Fund to incorporate the interests of People With Disabilities in Nigeria.
At the event organised by the Accelerate Disability Inclusion Emergencies forum, lead speakers including the executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre; and chair, board of trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria; advocated for the inclusion of representatives of PWDs and civil society organisations in the planning, implementation and monitoring of cash transfer initiatives.
The legislator also called for the inclusion of PWDs in government initiatives at all levels, due to the negative impact of the petrol subsidy removal policy on the masses.
Dawodu thanked the executives of PWD associations and emphasised the need for increased collaboration.