After the family, the community is the first point of contact for children with special needs. A supportive community will foster growth and encourage parents of children with special needs to ask for help, and this is fully evident in our conversation with the Iyalode of Ebute Iganmu, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Hassan, who throughout maintained her stand that children with special needs are gifts from God and should be adequately taken care of.
How can parents and caregivers better support the medical needs of their children with disabilities?
In our community we have children with disabilities and we are doing our best to make them feel included. Some of the mothers that have these children usually hide them; however, the ones we know, we encourage, and make them understand that the children are gifts from God and are not to be hidden for any reason. We are so grateful about this initiative that you brought to our community. Continue to enlighten us on how we can take care of these children so we can share it with parents when we have our meetings.
What do you see as the most important need for children with disabilities here?
First, what they will be using. The second one is their education. Some parents have tried so much to put these children in school; some cannot talk properly and some others cannot walk, and in school they will separate the children with disabilities from others. Some of these parents do not know where else to put them. There should be preference in the exams and teaching styles, so these children can be well educated like every other child.
What can the government do to ensure children with disabilities are included in education and public services?
Please tell the government to assist us by building special schools for children with disabilities so they can be educated, and they should get teachers that are willing to do the job, the kind of teachers that will be patient enough to guide the children. If the school is to be paid for, the government should subsidise it so the parents can afford it, and if it is free, let the government do it. We will be so glad.
Community involvement is crucial in supporting children with disabilities. Chief Mrs Hassan stressed its importance all through our conversation, encouraging parents to seek help and advocating for inclusivity, inclusive education and real government support.
Establish community support groups
Develop inclusive education programs
Provide accessible healthcare services
Advocate for policy changes
These are the building blocks of a circle of support, and we all should be a part of it.
