Blind society demands safer roads, jobs for visually impaired

The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind has called for stronger enforcement of disability rights laws, safer pedestrian infrastructure and equal employment opportunities for people with visual impairments, warning that existing protections still leave many barriers in place.

The Executive Secretary of FNSB, Mr Oluwamayowa Oke, made the call at the 2026 International White Cane and Safety Day symposium organised by the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Lagos State Chapter, last week.

Oke said Nigeria must move beyond enacting disability laws to ensuring their effective implementation across public infrastructure, transportation, workplaces and essential services.

He said the white cane, which supports independent movement for people with visual impairments, cannot compensate for poorly designed roads, obstructed walkways, inaccessible public buildings and discriminatory employment practices.

“The question before us is not simply whether a blind person can navigate the streets with a white cane. The question is whether we, as a society, have made those streets safe enough for that person to navigate,” he noted.

He added that uncovered drainage channels, obstructed pedestrian routes, unsafe crossings, and inaccessible public transportation could turn routine journeys into serious safety risks.

According to him, such barriers could prevent qualified individuals from attending job interviews, accessing education and healthcare, or participating fully in economic and social activities.

Oke said the challenge required a coordinated response from government agencies, transport operators, employers, urban planners, and members of the public.

He urged the Lagos State Government, local government authorities, relevant regulatory agencies, and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to strengthen accessibility monitoring, public education, and enforcement of existing disability protections.

He identified the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the Lagos State Special People’s Law of 2011 as important legal frameworks whose provisions must translate into measurable improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.

“A law that exists only in official documents can not protect a person standing beside an open drain,” he said.

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Oke also called on public and private institutions to review their facilities, recruitment procedures, communication systems, and services to ensure compliance with applicable accessibility requirements.

He said employers should assess applicants on their qualifications and ability to perform the essential functions of a job rather than make assumptions about their competence because of visual impairment.

He added that accessible recruitment platforms, reasonable workplace accommodations, and vocational training opportunities were necessary to improve economic inclusion.

Earlier, the Chairman of the symposium’s planning committee, Adeola Aina, said the annual commemoration provided an opportunity to draw attention to the challenges persons with visual impairments face while navigating roads and public spaces.

Aina called on the government to make roads safer and more accessible, while urging motorists and pedestrians to recognise white cane users and give them appropriate assistance and right of way.

He also called for an enabling environment that would allow persons with visual impairments to participate fully in society through access to employment, skills acquisition programmes and grants to support their economic activities.

Aina said the awareness walk allowed participants to show their contributions to society and encourage the public to better understand their needs.

A participant, Michael Moses, said greater public awareness of the white cane was essential to improving the safety of persons with visual impairments, particularly when crossing roads.

Moses said motorists needed to understand that people using white canes might require additional consideration when navigating traffic.

“In some parts of Lagos, when you want to cross, you are holding a cane. You are on your own,” he said, describing the difficulties encountered by pedestrians when assistance was unavailable.