BRIDGING DIGITAL DIVIDE: GOVERNOR SOLUDO EMPOWERS DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION

By Nwanodu Angela  :

In line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s pioneering vision of “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere,” the Disability Rights Commission has been equipped with cutting-edge digital tools to revolutionize its advocacy and support for persons with disabilities. 

These innovative tools will significantly enhance communication channels, streamline access to vital services, and promote inclusivity in decision-making processes, 

With innovative software to boost accessibility, the Commission is now better equipped to fulfill its mandate and ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s digital transformation drive.

This integration of technology is a game-changer, empowering ‘those who need it most’.

This significant advancement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Anambra State ICT Agency, which played a crucial role in facilitating the digital transformation. 

As part of its mission to drive e-government initiatives and support technology integration across state institutions, the agency provided the technical expertise and resources necessary to implement these tools effectively.

Receiving the digital tools, the Chairman of the Commission, Chuks Ezeawuzie (Esq), described it as a welcome development, highlighting the rapid pace of technological adoption and its potential to enhance productivity. 

“Anyone without technology is still living in the stone age, the analog stage. But with these tools, our office is now digitalized,” he stated.

He noted that the pre-digital era involved strenuous work, particularly for those physically challenged.

However, with the provision of these tools by the Solution Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, these challenges are now being successfully addressed.

Reflecting on his past, Ezeawuzie reminisced, ‘My experiences at the school for the blind, where every task required manual effort and perseverance, come flooding back. However, during my postgraduate studies in the United States, I discovered the transformative power of technology in enhancing the lives of the visually impaired. 

“Unfortunately, upon my return years before the Solution Government took office, I found a stark contrast – a lack of technological tools to implement the knowledge I had acquired, leaving a significant gap between vision and reality.

“With these tools, not only will our productivity be enhanced, but they will also enable even more persons living with disabilities to receive training at our Access to Technology Training Center within the Commission.”

In addition to the digital tools, the Commission has also been provided with Cable TV, Air conditioners, water dispensers, stabilizers, refrigerators, cameras, tripod stands, and others too numerous to mention, creating a more inclusive and functional work environment.

As the Disability Rights Commission steps into this new era of digital empowerment, it not only strengthens its capability to serve but also exemplifies Governor Soludo’s commitment to integrating technology into every facet of governance. 

This initiative, supported by the Anambra State ICT Agency, underscores a broader vision where technology bridges gaps and fosters a more inclusive society, reflecting a promising future for all stakeholders involved.

* Nwanodu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *