In 2021, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) undertook a crucial project with the aim of strengthening its organizational structure, promoting disability inclusion, and increasing public awareness on disability-related matters. This initiative, supported by the MacArthur Foundation in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), focused on several key activities.
The project comprised the following activities:
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- Constitution Review: The constitution review meeting resulted in a harmonized document highlighting areas for review in the existing constitution. This established frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of the JONAPWD Secretariat and its political constituencies.
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- Media Parley: The virtual media parley engaged 50 media practitioners who committed to supporting disability inclusion in Nigeria, expanding the coalition of media practitioners involved in the disability inclusion movement.
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- Radio Advocacy: A 30-minute radio session was aired on Nigeria Info 95.1, discussing project objectives and the importance of holistic participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process. This increased media response towards providing political and electoral opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- Infographics Design: Six infographics were developed and disseminated through JONAPWD’s social media platforms, increasing public awareness and advocacy for positive change on disability-related matters in Nigeria.
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- Strategic Media Engagement:
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- Media Parley: A virtual media parley was organized to encourage Nigerian media practitioners to create quality content on disability-themed stories. The aim was to increase media responsiveness towards the needs and demands of persons with disabilities, especially during elections.
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- Radio Advocacy: JONAPWD launched a radio program to discuss development concerns of persons with disabilities through traditional media. The goal was to create a platform for discussing these issues on the radio.
- Infographics Design: Infographics were designed and disseminated through social media to sensitize the public on disability inclusion principles, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
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The project activities yielded significant outputs and outcomes.They include:
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- Constitution Review: The constitution review meeting resulted in a harmonized document highlighting areas for review in the existing constitution. This established frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of the JONAPWD Secretariat and its political constituencies.
-
- Media Parley: The virtual media parley engaged 50 media practitioners who committed to supporting disability inclusion in Nigeria, expanding the coalition of media practitioners involved in the disability inclusion movement.
-
- Radio Advocacy: A 30-minute radio session was aired on Nigeria Info 95.1, discussing project objectives and the importance of holistic participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process. This increased media response towards providing political and electoral opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- Infographics Design: Six infographics were developed and disseminated through JONAPWD’s social media platforms, increasing public awareness and advocacy for positive change on disability-related matters in Nigeria.
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