By Leonard Okachie
Umuahia, Sept. 7, 2026 (NAN) Dr David Anyaele, Chairman of Abia Disability Commission, has assured women with hearing impairment of increased government support.
He spoke during a courtesy visit by South East Deaf Women Association (SEOWA) and Abia Deaf Elders to his office in Umuahia.
Anyaele said Gov. Alex Otti-led administration was deliberate about improving the quality of lives of persons with disabilities.
He noted that several deaf women had already been employed into the state civil service.
Anyaele said the Commission was working to identify more opportunities for Deaf persons to contribute to the state’s development.
He added that government interventions had also reached deaf persons through various empowerment programmes.
The chairman disclosed plans to upgrade the state’s secondary school for hearing impaired students with hostels.
He said awareness on issues affecting deaf persons would also be promoted.
On communication access, he said the Commission was seeking to recruit qualified sign-language interpreters.
He called on interested and qualified persons to make themselves available.
Mrs Maria Alufo-Ekpo, SEOWA South East Women Leader, said the visit was to seek collaboration with the Commission.
She requested more inclusion of deaf women in agriculture and small business support schemes.
Alufo-Ekpo also appealed for intervention to resolve internal divisions within the deaf community in Abia.
She said unity was critical for the community to attract more development opportunities.
(NAN)
