Analysis of Disability Prevalence and Social Exclusion in Taraba State

Disability data collection in Nigerian states is critical for inclusive planning and compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, and its analysis in Taraba State provides important North East regional evidence. This study analysed disability prevalence, types, causes, and social exclusion dimensions among adults in Jalingo, Bali, and Lau Local Government Areas, Taraba State. A household survey of 400 adults using the Washington Group Short Set module was conducted. Disability prevalence was estimated at 12.4 percent. Mobility limitations were the most prevalent form (34.7 percent of persons with disability), followed by visual impairment (28.6 percent) and hearing loss (18.4 percent). Persons with disability showed substantially lower formal employment rates (11.3 percent) and educational attainment compared to the general adult population. Access to healthcare was rated inadequate by 67.3 percent of disabled respondents. Less than 5 percent had accessed any government disability benefit. Recommendations include a Taraba State disability registration and service delivery programme, mandatory disability inclusion in infrastructure design standards, employer incentive schemes for hiring persons with disability, and a state-wide public awareness campaign on disability rights to improve social inclusion across the state.

Keywords: disability prevalence, social exclusion, Taraba State, Washington Group module, inclusive development These findings confirm that persons with disability in Taraba State face compounding disadvantages that require urgent legal and service delivery responses.