CITAD calls for inclusiveness,tasks JAMB on equipment for PWDs

To resolve the challenges faced by People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Writing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged JAMB to liaise with technology-oriented organizations to assist in providing training and equipment for the people with disabilities.

By Chimezie Godfrey

To resolve the challenges faced by People With Disabilities (PWDs) in writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged JAMB to liaise with technology-oriented organizations to assist in providing training and equipment for the people with disabilities.

This is contained in a Communique issued at the end of a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Challenges
Faced By People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Writing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in partnership with the Aminu Kano Centre For Democratic Research and Training in Abuja on Thursday.

The Communique was signed by Ibrahim Umar Abdulkarim, Chairman, Education Committee, Nigerian Association of the Blind NAB, Engr. Abdul D. Haruna, Pioneer and Former Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Secretary Coalition of the Disables Self Advocacy Network Group (CDSANG), Muhammad Sani Jumada, ICT Tutor, Kano State Association of Deaf, Hajiya Mariya Ishaka, Chairperson, The Albino Foundation, Kano, and Hamza Aminu Fagge, PWDs Coordinator, CITAD.

The forum was attended by different representatives of the associations of people with disabilities i.e. Hearing Impairment, Vision Impairment, Physically Challenged, Albinism, and People with Spinal Cord Injuries. Other participants at the forum included Nura Iro Ma’aji, Senior Special Advisor to the Kano State Governor on Students Matters, Yusuf Ibrahim Sharada, Senior Special Advisor to the Kano State Governor on ICT, Professor Yahuza Bello, Coordinator, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) and representative of Aminu Kano Colleague of Islamic and Legal Studies.

The Communique outlined barriers faced by PWDs which include that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board who are the organizers of the UMTE only give priority to people with vision impairment excluding/neglecting other disability groups.

It also noted that there is a lack of a comprehensive and precise national PWDs database that encompasses individuals eligible for participation in the JAMB exams or the inclusive education system, adding that more than 80% of people with vision impairment lack computer knowledge.

It also pointed out that there is a lack of readily available and standardized accessibility features for computer-based exams for visually impaired candidates, and a lack of inadequate funding and allocation of both materials and human resources, among several other challenges.

It therefore called for collaboration among key stakeholders to create a more inclusive examination process.

It stated,” Based on the challenges mentioned above, stakeholders at the forum unanimously agreed that to have an inclusive education and ensure no one is left behind, the following recommendations should be implemented with immediate effect:

“JAMB as an institution responsible for organizing the exam should organize a National Stakeholders Meeting which will include individuals and associations of people living with disabilities to discuss and find solutions to the challenges faced by this category of people.

"JAMB to liaise with technology oriented organizations to assist in providing training and equipment for the people with disabilities, especially those with vision impairment.

“JAMB in collaboration with state governments organizes comprehensive training programs for JAMB and exam centers’ staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills to support candidates with vision impairment effectively.

“To ensure no one is left behind, we urge the leadership of the JAMB to conduct assessments of exam centers to identify and address any physical or environmental barriers that may hinder access for individuals with disabilities.”

The Communique advised that
JAMB should in collaboration with state government ensure the provision of adequate accommodation, transport, and feeding for all people with disabilities.

It urged JAMB to provide sign-language interpreters in all the centers where people with hearing impairment are writing exams in the country.

“Adequate magnifying glasses should be provided for Albinos candidates in all UTME centers.

“Trained scribes should be stationed at all the centers to assist with reading and writing answers for the PWD candidates.

“That JAMB should provide the front page UTME examination with students details.

“That keyboard should be simplified (A, B, C, D, E) for people with vision impairment.

“Kano State government was urged to provide more ICT personnel and equipment at the Special Education School, Tudun Maliki,” it stated.

According to the communique, stakeholders asserted that the Computer-Based Test is now a permanent fixture in Nigeria and will soon become mandatory for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Therefore, all PWD clusters, state governments, and organizations supporting PWDs should intensify efforts to raise awareness among PWDs about the importance of learning computer skills to prepare for the examinations,” It stressed.