Barriers to Political Participation for Persons with Hearing Impairment in South-South and South-West Nigeria: Implications for Inclusiveness Policy

Abstract

Strengthening democracy, advancing social inclusion, and supporting economic growth in society all depend on upholding the right to equitable participation in politics. This study investigated the barriers that are preventing people with hearing impairment from participating in politics in the South-South and South-West geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The three hypotheses were examined whether communication barrier hinder political participation of persons with hearing impairment, to ascertain if there is a societal negative perception of political participation of persons with hearing impairment, and to assess how political disenfranchisement affects political participation of persons with hearing impairment in the two geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Purposive sampling of two hundred twenty respondents from the study zones were selected. At the 0.05 level of significance, the collected data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and One-Way Analysis of Variance. The findings showed that the political engagement of people with hearing impairment in the research locations is severely impacted by communication difficulties, unfavourable societal attitudes/ perceptions, and low educational attainment of persons with hearing impairment. Electioneering process should be inclusive in nature by taking cognisance to the peculiar needs of persons with hearing impairment, reinstating their confidence by introducing a policy that will stand as a deterrent on people who discriminate against persons with hearing impairment and empowering persons with hearing impairment with human right education so that they could be well equipped with relevant knowledge, skill and values to recognize, claim and defend their right.