By Adamu Yusuf
The Open Arms Children’s Development Centre, Millennium City, Kaduna State has called on governments, private organisations and other stakeholders to support children with developmental disabilities through inclusive education, vocational training and improved access to opportunities.
The Centre’s Director, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, made the appeal during an Independence Day funfair organised for children at the centre, which caters for children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and learning disabilities.
She said the celebration was an opportunity to recognise the potential of children with disabilities and promote their independence, self-reliance and ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
According to her, the centre, established in 2011, has recorded progress in helping children develop essential life skills, including personal hygiene, feeding, writing and other activities of daily living.
Sa’adatu Abdullahi added that some of the children had progressed to other schools, while others were benefiting from vocational training introduced by the centre.
She explained that the vocational programme began with sewing, with plans to introduce photography, computer skills and other practical training to enable the children to acquire skills for future employment and financial independence.
Sa’adatu Abdullahi disclosed that her personal experience as the mother of a 24-year-old daughter living with cerebral palsy motivated her to take over the centre after its founder indicated plans to return to Lagos.
She said the difficulty of finding an appropriate school for her daughter inspired her commitment to providing educational opportunities for children with similar conditions.
The director, however, identified the shortage of competent special education teachers as one of the centre’s major challenges, noting that some graduates were reluctant to work with children with disabilities because of inadequate practical experience and the demands of the profession.
She also expressed concern over the stigma and discrimination faced by children with disabilities, explaining that some parents had withdrawn their children from the centre’s preschool after becoming aware that children with disabilities were also enrolled there.
Ms Abdullahi called for increased public awareness to promote acceptance and inclusion, stressing that children with disabilities deserved equal respect, support and opportunities to develop their abilities.
She further appealed for assistance from government and private organisations to enable the centre to acquire its own premises, explaining that a permanent facility would allow it to design a more suitable learning environment for the children.
A parent whose son attends the centre, Sa’adatu Haruna Gintso expressed satisfaction with his child’s progress, saying the boy had improved in reading, writing and independence since enrolling at the school.
She advised families raising children with disabilities to exercise patience, provide the necessary support and recognise the children as a blessing, adding that their development requires understanding, care and encouragement.
