PARTICIPANTS in a four-day United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities workshop, ending today, are expected to be able to function as facilitators of change in their respective communities.

The forum was organised in collaboration with the National Commission on Disability (NCD), Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Guyana Council of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Those who participated were from Regions Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Themed ‘It’s about ability’, the programme was used as a platform to reflect where the Disability Movement was and is, as well as going in future, through the efforts of those who took part to become facilitators.

President of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Leon Walcott acknowledged there is much work to be done.

However, he lauded the progress that has been made, so far, in terms of advocacy, capacity building and more.

“At this stage, we have seen individuals and organisations in the Disability Movement being more vocal and more proactive,” Walcott said.

But he lamented what has become a sore point for discussion among stakeholders, the yet to be legislated Disability Bill developed in 2006.

Charity cases
“Without the legislation, persons with disabilities will continue to be looked upon as charity cases and we are not,” Walcott posited.

He admitted the playing field will never be level but said, at least with the legislation passed, they will be regarded with more respect than now.

Mr. Gregory Glasgow of CBR agreed the workshop will help in the creation of an enabling environment, so that persons with disabilities can contribute to all aspects of life in their communities.

Chairperson of the NCD, Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton concurred and pointed out that the agency’s vision for Guyana is one in which persons with disabilities can lead full and productive lifestyles.

Towards that objective, she said the NCD has put the focus on strengthening the capacity of persons with disabilities and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) to effectively and efficiently manage their own business ventures and advocate awareness and promote respect, protection and fulfillment of rights for all such people.

Hamilton lauded the organisers of the seminar and urged participants to work hard as they are being equipped to create the change to which stakeholders in the Disability Movement are looking forward.

One of those who facilitated the exercise was Ms. Miriam Rahali, Education Director of Victor Pineda Foundation, an educational non-profit organisation that promotes the rights and dignities of young people with disabilities.

She used a publication ‘It’s About Ability’, which offers a detailed explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was developed in partnership with UNICEF and the Victor Pineda Foundation.