The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has called on disability service providers to strengthen safeguarding measures and improve accessibility in residential homes and service centres to protect the safety, dignity and well-being of Persons with Disabilities, particularly children.
The General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, made the call on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Y2026 Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Lagos NUT Pavilion, NERDC Road, Alausa, Ikeja. The forum, themed “Harnessing Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Advance Disability Inclusion in Lagos State,” brought together service providers and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in disability service delivery.
Oyetunde-Lawal stressed that disability inclusion goes beyond providing basic services, noting that service providers must create safe, accessible and dignified environments where Persons with Disabilities can live, learn, receive care and participate meaningfully in society. She particularly urged residential home operators to prioritise the safety, privacy and best interests of children with disabilities and exercise caution when documenting or sharing their photographs, videos and personal information on social media and other public platforms.
She further advised service providers to ensure that their publicity, fundraising and operational activities comply with the Lagos State Child Rights Law as well as relevant child-protection and data-protection requirements. She noted that proper safeguarding is essential to protecting vulnerable persons and maintaining public confidence in disability care and support services.
The forum also featured sessions on creating safe and accessible homes and centres for Persons with Disabilities, as well as safeguarding and protection. Dr. Funmi Adekola, Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation, highlighted the need for facilities to be responsive to the diverse needs of Persons with Disabilities, while Mr. Viavonu Folorunsho, Director, Medical, Rehabilitation, Appliance and Mobility Aids, emphasised compliance with the provisions of the Lagos State Child Rights Law.
Participants engaged in interactive discussions, sharing experiences, raising concerns and seeking clarification on issues affecting disability service provision. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, among others, attended the forum, which reaffirmed the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in improving the safety, accessibility and quality of disability services across Lagos State.
