Unleashing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities: Benefits of the Disability Law.

On Friday, May 23, 2025, Hitches and Voices explored a powerful truth that challenges one of society’s most damaging myths — that disability equals inability. The guest for this edition, Barr. Melody Omosah, Director of the Citizen Mediation Centre at the Edo State Ministry of Justice, spoke passionately about the untapped potential of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the transformative benefits of the Edo State Disability Law.

Barr. Omosah began by pointing out that the greatest barrier PWDs face is not their physical or sensory conditions, but the attitudes, prejudices, and systemic neglect of society. “When we see a problem, we create solutions,” he remarked. “But when it comes to disability, society often chooses to look away.” His words underscored a truth that is often ignored: PWDs are not incapable, but are excluded because society has failed to provide the enabling environment they need.

He explained that many PWDs are skilled, innovative, and capable of contributing meaningfully in every sector of society. What holds them back is not a lack of ability but stereotypes, discrimination, and physical environments that shut them out. He emphasized that this cycle of exclusion can only be broken if organizations, government agencies, and communities take deliberate steps to create inclusive spaces.

Among the practical measures he highlighted were the provision of Braille reading materials for the visually impaired, the installation of ramps and widened doorways for wheelchair users, lifts in multi-storey buildings, and handrails for safety. He stressed that these adjustments are not luxuries or favors but essential enablers of equality. In schools, workplaces, and public spaces, such provisions ensure that PWDs can participate fully and contribute their talents to society.

With the Edo State Disability Law now in force, and the establishment of the Disability Commission, Barr. Omosah noted that the legal framework for inclusion is already in place. The real challenge, he argued, lies in translating the law from paper to practice. Inclusion is no longer to be treated as an act of goodwill; it is a legal right and a moral responsibility that must be upheld by every sector of society.

For him, the value of the law extends beyond individual empowerment. A society that dismantles barriers for PWDs becomes more innovative, more productive, and more just. By creating room for everyone to participate fully, communities strengthen their bonds and unlock their collective potential.

In his closing thoughts, Barr. Omosah left listeners with a powerful reminder: disability does not mean inability. With the right structures, the right attitudes, and the faithful implementation of the law, PWDs can and will continue to play transformative roles in building a fairer and stronger society

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