02/12/2024
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Embracing Disability Leadership in the Media Industry
In an industry that champions diversity, persons with disabilities are still fighting for recognition, particularly in leadership roles.
Despite their capabilities, they remain largely excluded from leadership roles, not because of a lack of talent, but because of deep-seated discrimination.
In Nigeria and across the globe, the media industry often overlooks the potential of these individuals, denying them opportunities to lead and share their unique perspectives.
This exclusion perpetuates harmful stereotypes and hinders the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable society.
Persons with disabilities possess the same skills and qualifications as their peers. They have the resilience, creativity, and determination to thrive in leadership roles within the media industry.
However, media organizations tend to underestimate their abilities, assuming that physical challenges equate to limited potential. This unfounded bias not only undermines their talent but also deprives society of the powerful stories and insights that people with disabilities can offer.
The discrimination begins long before entering the workforce. In universities, students with disabilities face numerous barriers.
From inaccessible classrooms and lecture halls to a lack of adaptive learning materials, the higher education system often fails to provide the necessary support.
This marginalization limits their educational experience and prepares them inadequately for the professional world, where they are again met with exclusion.
To truly ‘Amplifying the Leadership of Persons With Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’, as the 2024 theme advocates, we must ensure that both educational institutions and the media industry actively foster an inclusive environment.
Universities must offer greater support through accessibility, training, and resources.
Media organizations must embrace diversity and actively recruit persons with disabilities, not as a token gesture but as valued leaders in their own right.
Only through these changes can we build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
International Day of Persons With Disabilities is celebrated every 3rd of December globally.
Hamzat Ibrahim Abaga
Founder, Inclusive Media Network (IMN).
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