INTRODUCTION

JONAPWD is a not for profit and non-governmental organization formed in 2001 in Anambra State but has been in existence in Nigeria since 1987. The Anambra State Chapter registered under the CAC in 2008 with registration number 28709. The Association is being managed by persons with disabilities with support from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. It is an umbrella body that oversees the activities of all other cluster associations of persons with disabilities in Anambra State. At present, JONAPWD in Anambra State consist of six (6) cluster groups, namely:

1. The Association of the Physically Impaired
2. The Association of the Visually impaired
3. The Association of hearing and speech impaired
4. The Association of Spinal Cord Injuries
5. The Association of the down syndrome
6. The Association of the Leprosy victims

WHY JONAPWD WAS FORMED

Generally, the attitude of the public towards Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) has not been very helpful to their development. Consequently, PWDs have found it very difficult to make the kind of positive contributions they would have loved to make to societal development. Public attitude towards PWDS are often negative, discriminatory, condescending, and full of misconceptions that stem from lack of proper understanding of persons with disabilities and issues that affect them. It is towards this end that the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Anambra state chapter came into being as a platform for:

1. Generating coherent ideas on how to tackle the problems of PWDs
2. PWDs to have a common voice, help them identify their own collective and individual needs and be able to express views on their priorities.
3. Evaluation of services targeted for PWDs.
4. Advocating for change, public awareness creation on PWDs and issues.
5. Self-development of PWDs and harnessing of opportunities to develop skills and talents.
6. Mutual support among PWDs.
7. Mainstreaming PWDs into the larger society so as to encourage them to live independent lives.

OUR VISION

An equitable, strong, vibrant society in which a culture of equal opportunity is firmly entrenched and the rights of every citizen respected and protected and where persons with disabilities acknowledge their responsibilities and endeavour to fulfill them as expected.

OUR MISSION

To work for the integration of persons with disabilities into the larger society through a network of support provision, capacity building and targeted development of their personal, social, economic and political lives.

OUR CORE VALUE (STEP)

These form the core values of JONAPWD Anambra State:

1. Special ability in disability
2. Transparency
3. Education and Empowerment
4. People Oriented.

OUR GOAL

Improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in all spheres.

THEMATIC AREAS

1. Accessibility
2. Inclusion (fighting discrimination)
3. Job creation
4. Legislation
5. Promoting Networking of PWDs
6. Social empowerment
7. Economic empowerment
8. Political empowerment
9. Personal development
10. Awareness creation and sensitization on disability issues