By Muhammad Amaan
The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has joined the global community in commemorating International Wheelchair Day 2026, standing in solidarity with wheelchair users across Kano State, Nigeria, Africa, and worldwide.
A statement issued by the Coordinator of the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI), Aftahan Dahiru Sarina, said the day is a celebration of mobility, dignity, and resilience.
“It is also a moment of reflection and responsibility. For millions of wheelchair users, daily life still involves navigating inaccessible public buildings, unsafe roadways, limited transportation options, and employment systems that are not fully inclusive.
“A wheelchair is not merely a mobility aid – it is a gateway to education, economic participation, leadership, and civic engagement. However, without accessible infrastructure and fully implemented disability inclusion policies, many are prevented from participating equally in society,” part of the statement read.
The V-PeSDI, therefore, called the government at all levels to accelerate the enforcement and domestication of disability rights legislation, strengthen compliance monitoring, and allocate dedicated budgets for accessible infrastructure.
It also urged the policymakers to review, update, and operationalize disability frameworks to align with inclusive development goals and measurable accountability standards.
They called on the private sector institutions to invest in accessible workplaces, inclusive hiring practices, and barrier-free service delivery systems.
Urban planners and developers were also called to prioritize universal design in public and private construction projects.
It added that, “Bridging infrastructure gaps is not an act of charity; it is a matter of justice, equity, and national development. Inclusive systems benefit everyone — persons with disabilities, the elderly, children, and communities at large.
“As we mark International Wheelchair Day 2025, V-PeSDI reaffirms its commitment to advocacy, policy engagement, and community-driven solutions that advance accessibility and inclusion.
“We celebrate resilience today. We demand action tomorrow. And we commit to sustained partnership until accessibility becomes standard – not optional.”
