By Olajide Idowu
A non-governmental organisation, Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance (CAI4SR), has urged the media to adopt disability-inclusive language and uphold ethical reporting standards to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and misrepresentation.
The organisation also cautioned against portraying persons with disabilities as vulnerable, less human, or a burden to others in news reports.
Speaking at a one-day media engagement and training on disability inclusion in Osogbo, the Executive Director of CAI4SR, Mrs Eni Ayeni, stressed the need for journalists and other stakeholders to avoid the use of degrading language when referring to persons with disabilities.
Ayeni emphasised that persons with disabilities are first and foremost human beings, noting that their conditions should not define them in society.
She urged the media to use appropriate and respectful language, describing it as a vital tool for promoting human rights, equity, and dignity.
According to her, journalists should adopt person-first language in their reports.
“Use ‘person with a disability’ rather than ‘disabled person.’ This recognises the individual before the condition,” she said.
Ayeni further advised against the use of passive, pity-driven expressions such as “suffers from,” “afflicted by,” or “wheelchair-bound.”
She also recommended phrases like “person with a disability” instead of “disabled” or “handicapped,” and “person with visual impairment” or “person who is blind” instead of terms such as “the blind,” “visionless,” or “sightless.”
“Affirm individual personhood first and avoid grouping unique individuals under generic labels,” she added.
Ayeni noted that the use of appropriate language in reporting would enhance the dignity of persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion in society.
She explained that the objective of the training was to equip participants with a sound understanding of ethical considerations in reporting disability-related issues.
According to her, participants would gain the knowledge required to produce accurate and ethical reports on disability rights.
In his presentation, a legal practitioner, Oluwafemi Balogun, said the Osun State Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Law, 2024, provides a legal framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Balogun noted that Section 2 of the law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and protects them from harmful practices based on their condition.
He added that violations by corporate bodies attract a fine of N500,000 upon conviction, while individuals are liable to a fine of N50,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Balogun urged individuals and organisations to play their part in eliminating discrimination against persons with disabilities.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
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Edited by Victor Adeoti
