LASODA and NECA Partner for Employment Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

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​The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) is actively working to enhance job opportunities and workplace inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through a renewed strategic partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). During a recent courtesy visit to NECA House, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the General Manager of LASODA, highlighted the urgent necessity for deliberate and sustainable structures that can effectively guarantee improved access to job roles for the disability community, envisioning a future of targeted recruitment matching PWDs to roles that align with their skills and professional aspirations.

​​​Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal delineated LASODA's core priority areas for the partnership, focusing on establishing truly inclusive recruitment systems. This includes implementing designated quotas for PWDs whenever employment openings are announced. A crucial element is also the necessity of conducting detailed accessibility audits to ensure that all workplaces are fully conducive, inclusive, and free of physical barriers for employees with disabilities, thereby promoting independence and dignity in the work environment.

​Furthermore, LASODA is prioritizing cultural and communication improvements within organizations. This involves promoting continuous internal training on disability etiquette, appropriate language, and effective interaction methods with PWDs to foster an environment of respect and understanding. The General Manager also underscored the need to improve physical accessibility by ensuring provisions like marked parking spaces, visible signage, and the strategic engagement of sign language interpreters to enhance clear communication where required.

​In his appreciative response, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the Director General of NECA, expressed the association's full alignment with LASODA's comprehensive vision for inclusion. He disclosed that NECA had previously collaborated with the Irede Foundation, which provided valuable enlightenment on disability inclusion to its Human Resources Unit and member organizations. This existing foundation demonstrates NECA's commitment and readiness to further integrate these inclusive practices into their broader organizational culture.

Pledging concrete steps, Mr. Oyerinde committed that NECA would dedicate a regular column in its monthly publication to specifically advocate for disability inclusion, gender equity, and other crucial social issues. He asserted that this continuous communication effort, alongside Memoranda of Understanding and strategic partnerships, will deepen the collaboration between NECA and LASODA. The DG encouraged LASODA to maintain an open-door dialogue, emphasizing that sustained communication is the key to progress, while also reiterating the imperative for all organizations to adhere to the provisions of the Lagos State Disability Law.