Baskadia

Being disabled makes it more challenging to navigate your environment. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals are unaware of the challenges that come with it. The shortcomings of both the educational and medical systems prevent people with disabilities from receiving the proper support or care. Poor disabled people in the community who lack access to the facilities and basic healthcare they require to better manage their condition find it especially challenging; they frequently feel isolated from society as a whole as a result.

This is the account of a forgotten diary of a deaf girl’s experience in a Nigerian college and A brother on a mission to change the system.

Kiki’s Story:

Despite the limited resources available for students like herself within the Nigerian educational system, Kiki, who was born profoundly deaf, managed to excel academically throughout her school years thanks to her own dedication and hard work as well as that of her family members, who worked tirelessly to support her during trying times. Kiki received good grades on her schoolwork, which should have qualified her for admission to a university. However, several universities turned her down because they did not have adaptive programmes specifically created for students like herself. This made Kiki feel discouraged and frustrated because it seemed unfair given everything she had accomplished up to that point.

Kiki unfortunately experienced additional difficulties after enrolling in a university because Nigerian institutions did not provide adequate adaptive services, leaving Kiki without access to crucial learning resources like interpreters or assistive technology needed for effective learning while attending classes online (as required due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Without these essentials, Kiki's scholastic performance declined significantly in the months coming up to graduation, and as a result, she graduated with poorer grades than anticipated compared to her non-disabled classmates.Ultimately, Kiki learned from this experience the importance of disabled students’ inclusion and accessibility within Nigeria’s educational systems. She hopes that others would learn from this lesson as they pursue their own academic careers in the future.

My account

The diary reveals the numerous obstacles the deaf student encountered on her educational journey. Lacking adequate support and accommodations, she faced communication barriers, inaccessible learning resources, and a lack of understanding from her peers and teachers. These challenges not only affected her academic progress but also impacted her self-confidence and overall well-being. Despite the hardships, the diary Also highlights moments of triumph and joy. The student's perseverance and determination enabled her to adapt and find creative solutions to navigate the educational landscape. Through the support of a few compassionate teachers and the formation of a tight-knit group of friends, she discovered her own resilience and the strength to confront the barriers in her path.

Banji’s Story:

Banji was nothing like Kiki, as his diary accounts. He wasn’t disabled for one, he was what one would consider an average student, nothing special about him. But Banji’s determination was sparked by his little brother, Dami. In hopes of providing a better future for Dami, Banji in partnership with some NGOs, organized awareness programs across the nation, bringing to the public’s attention the need for reform in education system and healthcare sector.

My account

The diary’s revelations force us to confront the shortcomings of the Nigerian education system when it comes to providing equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It exposes the lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and limited support mechanisms that hinder the educational journey of disabled students. To rectify these failures, the diary calls for systemic changes that prioritize inclusivity and provide the necessary resources and accommodations for students with disabilities. The diary serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring people to become an advocate for disability rights and education reform.

Through his activism, he aims to raise awareness, influence policymakers, and collaborate with organizations dedicated to empowering disabled individuals. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of personal narratives and the determination to create a more inclusive society.

I’m like Kiki and Dami in that those of us with disabilities that limit our ability to perform to the best of our abilities do not receive the support that society and the government are supposed to offer. We put in three times as much effort as everyone else, but there is no assurance that our efforts will result in any kind of change.

This story serves as a reminder of the strength within each of us in a society when we frequently take our senses for granted. It inspires us to develop compassion and understanding for people who live their lives in diverse ways. They demonstrate that no obstacle is too great for us to conquer via their unyielding tenacity. They embrace their distinctive viewpoint as a force for transformation, motivating others through their quest for resiliency and self-awareness. Let’s take a cue from this exceptional person’s tale and design places that promote rather than obstruct human development. Together, we can create a society that embraces and values everyone’s individuality, enabling each person to achieve their full potential and dismantling barriers in the process.