The Friends of the Deaf International Foundation (FDF) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive education and expanding support services for persons with disabilities, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve access and quality.
The foundation made this known at the 9th Biennial Conference of the School of Special Education (SSPED), Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, where experts emphasised the urgent need to align policy, diagnostic systems and classroom practices.
The conference, which began on Tuesday, is themed “Global Horizons in Special Education: Advancing Diagnostic Precision and Evidence-Based Intervention.”
Representing the Special Guest of Honour, Air Commodore Adedokun Edward (Rtd), Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogunro participated in the proceedings and received an award on his behalf, recognising his contributions to leadership and training in Nigeria’s defence sector.
Speaking at the event, Ogunro commended the organisers for sustaining advocacy on inclusive education, stressing that equal access to learning for children with disabilities remains critical to national development.
She noted that achieving meaningful inclusion requires coordinated efforts from government, educators, families and development partners.
Keynote speakers at the conference, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo and Professor Kelechi U. Lazarus, highlighted the importance of integrating accurate diagnostic methods with evidence-based teaching strategies to enhance learning outcomes for persons with special needs.
Lazarus, in a lead paper titled “Bridging the Gap: Aligning Diagnostic Precision with Special Education Classroom Practice,” underscored the disconnect between assessment processes and classroom implementation, urging reforms to close the gap.
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The conference will run until Friday, featuring plenary sessions, workshops and technical discussions on educational assessment, assistive technology, inclusive learning strategies and vocational training for persons with disabilities.
Participants are expected to generate actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s inclusive education framework.
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