TAF Africa Takes Disability-Inclusive Voter Education Campaign to Osun Communities Ahead of Governorship Election

Boluwatife Adedokun, Osogbo

TAF Africa has intensified efforts to promote the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, extending its Able to Vote voter education campaign to grassroots communities to improve electoral inclusion and address concerns over insecurity, accessibility and discrimination.

The organisation said the initiative aims to equip persons with disabilities with adequate information about their voting rights, the disability-friendly measures introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the need to participate actively in the electoral process.

Speaking during a community outreach programme in Ilesa, Assistant Programme Officer of TAF Africa, George Dominic, explained that the organisation deliberately shifted its voter education campaign from urban centres to rural communities after identifying a gap in access to electoral information among persons with disabilities at the grassroots.

According to him, previous campaigns concentrated on state capitals and major towns, but findings from post-engagement reviews showed that many PWDs in local communities remained unaware of their electoral rights and available support during elections.

“This is a community outreach because we discovered that many persons with disabilities at the grassroots have limited access to voter education. We felt it was important to bring these messages directly to them so they can participate fully in the electoral process,” Dominic said.

He disclosed that the Able to Vote campaign has reached six communities across six local government areas in Osun State, with similar sensitisation programmes taking place simultaneously in other parts of the state.

Beyond voter education, Dominic said TAF Africa is collaborating with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure the governorship election is disability-inclusive.

As part of the initiative, he revealed that the organisation would deploy 150 election observers with disabilities across polling units to monitor compliance with disability-inclusive electoral guidelines, assess the deployment of assistive devices and document the experiences of PWDs on election day.

According to him, observers will transmit real-time reports through the TAP Disability App, enabling the organisation to track accessibility challenges and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving electoral inclusion.

He further disclosed that 25 sign language interpreters would be stationed at designated polling units expected to record significant turnout of voters with hearing impairments.

Addressing concerns over security, Dominic urged persons with disabilities not to allow fear of violence to discourage them from exercising their civic rights.

He said INEC and security agencies had assured the organisation of adequate security arrangements across the state and pledged to prioritise the safety of vulnerable voters where necessary.

He added that security agencies had also been informed that many persons with disabilities would require transportation support, including vehicles and motorcycles, to access polling units and should receive the necessary assistance.

Participants at the outreach described the programme as timely and impactful.
The Zonal Coordinator of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ijesha Zone, Jimoh Kehinde, said the engagement had significantly improved participants’ understanding of the electoral process and boosted their confidence ahead of the governorship poll.
He noted that many persons with disabilities were previously unaware of their voting rights and the support mechanisms available to them during elections.

“This programme has enlightened us. Many of our members now understand that they have equal rights to participate in elections and that there are provisions to support them at polling units,” he said.

Kehinde added that the sensitisation addressed common concerns surrounding accessibility and election-day security, urging members of the disability community to turn out in large numbers and exercise their franchise.

Also speaking, the Assistant Women’s Coordinator of JONAPWD in Osun State, Mrs. Abiodun Christianah, described the programme as an eye-opener that exposed participants to opportunities and constitutional rights they previously knew little about.

She commended TAF Africa for educating persons with disabilities on their civic responsibilities and encouraging them not only to vote but also to aspire to elective positions.

“My message to our people is that they should not be afraid. They should come out on election day and exercise their rights. Organisations like TAF Africa are ready to provide support where necessary,” she said.
Former Osun State Secretary of JONAPWD and community leader, Adenuga Johnson Adekunle, also praised the initiative, describing it as one of the most impactful voter education programmes organised for persons with disabilities in the state.

According to him, the campaign had restored confidence among many PWDs who had previously stayed away from elections because of fears of political violence, transportation difficulties and other barriers.

Adekunle called for sustained public enlightenment through radio, social media and community-based advocacy to ensure that more persons with disabilities, particularly those unable to attend the outreach, benefit from the initiative.
He also appealed to government and development partners to continue supporting persons with disabilities beyond election periods through education, vocational training and economic empowerment programmes.

“Disability is not inability. With the right support and opportunities, persons with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to the development of society,” he said.