The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has donated 670 assistive devices and related items to children with disabilities as part of its regional efforts to promote inclusion and improve access to education, healthcare and social participation for vulnerable children.
The donation forms part of the ECOWAS Programme for the Provision of Assistive Devices to Children with Disabilities, an initiative designed to enhance the mobility, communication and independence of children living with various forms of disabilities across member states.
The assistive devices include wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetic and orthotic devices, hearing aids, eyeglasses and other mobility and communication equipment intended to improve the quality of life of beneficiaries. ECOWAS said access to such technologies remains limited for many children in the region despite their importance in supporting education, rehabilitation and full participation in society.
According to the regional bloc, the latest intervention covers 670 assistive devices and related items, reinforcing its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and advancing social inclusion in line with international and regional disability frameworks.
Speaking during the programme’s advocacy and sensitisation activities, ECOWAS Principal Programme Officer for Social Affairs, Dr. Fernando Jorge Alves D’Almada, stressed that millions of persons with disabilities across West Africa continue to face stigma, discrimination and limited access to essential services. He said providing assistive devices is critical to enabling children with disabilities to live independently, attend school and participate fully in their communities.
The current phase of the programme is being implemented in The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea, following an earlier phase carried out in Nigeria and Togo in 2024. ECOWAS said the initiative is being executed in collaboration with national governments, organisations of persons with disabilities and development partners to identify beneficiaries and ensure the effective distribution of the devices.
The regional body reiterated its commitment to strengthening disability inclusion across West Africa, noting that improved access to assistive technologies is essential for ensuring equal opportunities for children with disabilities and advancing the broader goal of leaving no one behind.
