they ply their petty goods. Some states have taken initiatives to assist PWDs; for example, in Katsina State some PWDs have benefited from micro-finance schemes. In Ekiti State, it is proposed to reserve a 2 per cent quota of employment in any government establishment for PWDs. If this beneficial practice is implemented and replicated in other states and introduced at federal level, it would constitute an opportunity for the inclusion of more PWDs in the employment sector. In addition, the Ekiti Charter on the Welfare Package for PWDs would include granting priority consideration to PWDs in the micro-finance credit scheme. 405. Some states, such as Lagos, are developing inclusive processes and frameworks to ensure that vulnerable groups are involved, and coalitions are forming around issues-based governance, in partnership with the National Planning Commission. Other states, like Ogun, Oyo and Jigawa, have created the position of special adviser to the governor on disability in order to address the plight of PWDs. 406. PWDs still face stigma and discrimination in general. Although the stigma associated with disability is said to be decreasing in urban areas, in many communities PWDs are isolated and stigmatised. Persons with lesser degrees of disability may in some instances freely socialise with other community members and even marry nondisabled persons, but this is more often the exception. Women and children with disabilities are doubly marginalised. 407. The absence of enforcement regulations and measures to ensure accessibility to physical infrastructure limits the mobility of most PWDs and affects their ability to enforce many of their rights in the political, social and economic arenas. The physical environment in which most PWDs live lacks basic ramps or elevators, transportation systems and various public facilities. During the consultative process, the CRM heard that people with disabilities are not able to work in high-rise buildings without functioning elevators. In addition, it is important for PWDs to access information, but in the absence of services like sign language, Braille and other forms of communication, PWDs lack information on many crucial aspects. In conflict-prone areas particularly, they are more vulnerable to injury and abuse because of their inability to flee from risk areas. The plight of IDPs 408. Natural and human-made disasters in the form of conflict, floods and landslides have resulted in IDPs in Nigeria. Most IDPs fleeing from natural or human-made disasters are unable to return as a result of the destruction of their houses, properties and businesses. Public services and physical infrastructure are often destroyed, affecting the welfare and ability of returnees to live independently or normally. 409. The majority of IDPs in Nigeria have been displaced by ethnic clashes or acts of violence, by natural disasters, and some by forced evictions by state authorities. Given the incidence of ethnic/religious conflicts, it is estimated that, by 2006, over 3 million Nigerians will have been internally displaced. 135

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