With regards to trend, movie, digital media and different sectors of the inventive trade, what number of creatives have you learnt who’re thriving in Nigeria? They’re too quite a few to rely, proper? Now, what number of inventive individuals with disabilities in Nigeria have you learnt who’re thriving within the trade? One, two, ten, not so many. Why? In an interview with Teejay Ameen who’s an A&R and broadcast journalist dwelling with albinism, he sheds mild on this subject and clamours for equal alternatives for creatives with disabilities in Nigeria.
In keeping with statistics, the Nigerian inventive trade is among the largest employers of labour. Most of the time, the trade prioritises and advances the careers of creatives with out disabilities than creatives with disabilities. Regardless of their immense expertise and potential, creatives with disabilities usually are not adequately empowered, thereby stopping them from contributing to and benefitting from this profitable trade. Teejay said that this additional contributes to a scarcity of illustration and inclusion, perpetuating the fallacy that incapacity and creativity are mutually unique.
It’s astonishing that in at this time’s society, creatives with disabilities nonetheless face vital obstacles to entry into the trade. As an example, the dearth of accessibility and inclusive infrastructure in Nigeria’s inventive areas are large obstacles. He mentioned many studios, galleries, and efficiency venues usually are not designed with accessibility in thoughts, making it tough or unattainable for individuals with disabilities to entry them. There may be additionally the issue of societal stigma and discrimination towards individuals with disabilities in Nigeria and this discourages creatives with disabilities to confidently pursue their ardour.
Moreover, there are institutional obstacles within the type of poor coverage implementation and insufficient coaching of workers and stakeholders on incapacity consciousness and help. He, nonetheless, urged the Nigerian authorities to advertise and shield the rights of individuals with disabilities established beneath the Discrimination In opposition to Individuals with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. Creating insurance policies is one factor; correct implementation is one other. Teejay, due to this fact, referred to as on the federal government to make sure that these insurance policies are applied and enforced as they play a vital function in selling equal alternatives for creatives with disabilities in Nigeria.
Creatives with disabilities are additionally confronted with the problem of inaccessibility to digital platforms and applicable assistive applied sciences that may assist them thrive within the trade. These challenges not solely stifle their inventive potential however deprive Nigerian society of the distinctive views and skills that individuals with disabilities convey to the desk.
Because the Nigerian inventive trade continues to develop, Teejay said that the nation should recognize the energy, resilience, and sweetness that lies inside each particular person. Expertise is aware of no boundaries or limitations therefore elevating consciousness concerning the significance of inclusion within the inventive trade is a step in the best course. One efficient strategy to obtain this, based on him, is thru multimedia campaigns showcasing numerous creatives with disabilities and their work will be shared as methods to amplify the voices of underrepresented teams and promote a tradition of inclusivity.
Moreover, inventive occasions, conferences, and workshops ought to be incapacity inclusive. Which means the venues ought to present lodging for attendees with disabilities. The occasions also needs to function numerous audio system and panellists in a bid to advertise illustration and supply a platform for the voices of creatives with disabilities to be heard.
Teejay referred to as for partnerships and collaborations to the creation of equal alternatives for individuals with disabilities within the inventive trade. The Nigerian authorities, inventive trade stakeholders and incapacity advocacy teams should work collectively to adequately empower creatives with disabilities. By doing so, the misrepresentation of individuals with disabilities shall be diminished to the purpose the place it’s non-existent.
“It’s time for Nigeria to interrupt down the obstacles which have excluded creatives with disabilities for a lot too lengthy, we should perceive and embrace the peculiarity in each particular person and showcase the wonder in variety as a nation,” Teejay Ameen mentioned.
