Improving Access to Developmental Disability Care in Nigeria
A focused advocacy project aimed at improving access to regulated, affordable, and quality care services for persons with developmental disabilities in Nigeria.
To improve access to regulated, affordable, and quality care services for persons with developmental disabilities in Nigeria.
The Crisis Facing Nigerian Families with Disabled Members
In Nigeria, persons with developmental and physical disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome face limited access to quality care.
Although institutions like the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities exist, service delivery and enforcement remain limited. Families often face unclear standards, inconsistent costs, and too little support when making difficult care decisions.
Five Critical Barriers to Quality Developmental Disability Care
Unqualified therapy providers
Many families struggle to identify skilled and ethical providers for developmental and physical disability care.
Weak regulation and accreditation
Care services often operate without clear standards, licensing expectations, or effective enforcement.
High and inconsistent care costs
Therapy and support services can be unaffordable, unpredictable, and difficult for families to compare.
Limited financial support
Families are left to shoulder most developmental disability care costs with little structured public assistance.
Low public awareness and inclusion
Communities, schools, and faith institutions often lack the information needed to respond with dignity and acceptance.
Five Policy Priority Areas
A structured advocacy framework addressing the root causes of developmental disability care gaps in Nigeria.
Regulation of Therapy Services
Advocate for licensing, accreditation, and certification requirements that help families identify qualified providers.
- Licensing and accreditation of providers.
- Standard certification requirements.
Financial Support Systems
Push for public financing models that make developmental disability care more affordable and sustainable for households.
- Government-funded therapy support.
- Inclusion in national health insurance.
Pricing Oversight
Promote transparency and safeguards against excessive charges in therapy and related services.
- Transparent service pricing.
- Measures to prevent excessive charges.
Provider Registry
Support a trusted public database of certified providers so families can make better decisions.
- Public database of certified providers.
Workforce Development
Address the shortage of qualified developmental disability care professionals through training and certification pathways.
- Training and certification programs.
- Policies to address shortages of qualified professionals.
What We Are Working Toward
- 1 Increase awareness of developmental disability care gaps and rights.
- 2 Promote standards and regulation for therapy services.
- 3 Advocate for financial support and fair pricing.
- 4 Strengthen accountability in care services.
- 5 Support families with access to reliable information and providers.
- 6 Create awareness within churches and mosques to promote acceptance and inclusion.
- 7 Advocate for government action to address shortages of qualified manpower in the sector.
How We Do the Work
- Public awareness campaigns and community outreach.
- Engagement with churches, mosques, and community leaders on inclusion.
- Development of a directory of verified therapy providers.
- Policy engagement with government institutions.
- Research on cost and quality of therapy services.
- Training for caregivers and families.
- Advocacy for workforce development and professional training.
- Collaboration with regulatory bodies.
Institutions We Engage
What Success Looks Like
Improved access to qualified therapy providers.
Better regulation of care services.
Increased transparency in service pricing.
Expanded financial support for families.
Improved awareness and acceptance within communities and faith institutions.
Strengthened workforce capacity in developmental disability care.
Improved decision-making by caregivers.
Support DICAF's Advocacy Work
Partner with us through research collaboration, policy engagement, community outreach, or financial support.