– President reaffirms support, promises increase in subventions
THE  much-anticipated Guyana Persons with Disability Act was, yesterday, introduced to the wider public – the first step in a massive sensitization campaign and President Bharrat Jagdeo, in acknowledging the “heart and commitment” seen in the long process, reaffirmed his administration’s support in a tangible way.
The Head of State, at the launch held at the Regency Suites Hotel, promised an increase in the subventions given to the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities and the National Commission on Disability (NCD).
NCD is responsible for addressing implementation, monitoring and also sensitization of the provisions made under the Act.
However, he stressed the need for ‘accountability’ and suggested that the increased financing will be used to advance sensitization programmes and more project-related activities to further increase the opportunities available for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Jagdeo also committed to having dedicated provisions made to address increased employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, in light of Guyana’s Information and Communication Technology thrust.
According to him, special criteria exist under the administration’s One Laptop for Family project to increase access to information technology.
“We do not want to treat you different than anyone else,” the President posited.
He warned against institutional rivalry and said that, in partnership, the provisions of the Act will be implemented in the set time frame.
“This is an evolution…now we are in a new phase,” he declared.
The President acknowledged that the needs of persons with disabilities have been under-financed, but pointed out that as the economy’s performance improved, increased emphasis can be placed on social services support.
He explained that it is not the lack of importance of areas such as disability, sport, women and children; rather that there are more resources to step up the kind of support seen in the past.
The Head of State maintained that, across the board, social issues are receiving increasing attention at all levels and stressed his and his administration’s commitment to groups that fight, in a real way, to change their situations.

HEART AND COMMITMENT

The President made it clear that the “heart and commitment” that were clearly seen in the fight for equity and access by persons with disabilities are what make a difference.
He referenced the fact that too many persons in other sectors, including the public service, are focused on ‘knock-off time’, rather than the task at hand and making a real difference in whatever way.
The President also suggested that the heart and commitment shown by persons with disabilities in their fight are the kinds of spirit needed in other project areas, especially those directed to the vulnerable groups in society.
He said persons willing to go the extra mile are the reasons for change, regardless of the number of policies that make provisions for support.
“We have many legislations, but the thing that makes the difference is the heart and commitment involved in the effort,” he stressed.
The President noted that what is needed is not only the government’s commitment to persons with disability and the disability movement, but successful partnerships with agencies focused on making a difference.
He made it clear that the Guyana Persons with Disability Act is important for Guyana and all Guyanese – a step forward in ensuring that the needs of all Guyanese people are met.

A HUMAN RIGHT

Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who also made remarks, pointed out that in the past the freedoms and recognition rights of persons with disabilities were concepts tied to goodwill, not the basic human right it was.
However, he stated that with the Act, goodwill, while still important, is not the only avenue persons with disabilities will look to, since the laws of the land ensure that the differently-abled are able to pursue equal rights, health and education, among other things.
“The law seeks to change the paradigm,” Ramsammy said.
The Health Minister noted that the process was long in coming and had started  under the then Minister of Health, Ms. Gail Teixeira, who was also present for yesterday’s proceedings.
He maintained that the fight for equal rights and justice for persons with disabilities was a long road and the passage of the Act is a source of pride for all those who were dedicated to the process.
Ramsammy echoed the President’s affirmation of the government’s commitment to address the social needs of all Guyanese.
He pointed out that it was under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that the provisions for support to the differently-abled were made, with emphasis on rehabilitative medicine, a $30M initiative that is now advanced to the tune of over $200M.
Prior to the Act’s passage, the Health Minister stated that the administration’s interventions included: subventions to NCD; subventions to the Cheshire Home, which houses 25 severely disabled children and adults; the promotion of programmes for persons with disabilities to have better lives, such as the prosthetics programme; provision of transportation for persons in wheelchairs so they can access health services and special needs classes; and more recently, the collaboration of the Ministries of Health and Education on the development of a sign language manual, which will serve as a curriculum to train teachers in sign language.
“We are working together so that persons with disabilities have the opportunities of a normal  life as is possible,” Ramsammy said.
He pointed out that future advances to benefit persons in the disability movement are a legal mandate, which forces the acceleration of progress.
Chairperson of NCD, Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton, pointed out that the work started is not done with the passage of the Act, rather it is a new chapter of efforts to support persons with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest and realise their potential.
Other speakers included Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms. Donna Chapman; President of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Leon Walcott; and popular radio personality, Ms. Julie Lewis.
The general consensus was the need to advance efforts in partnership to provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities – a fulfilment of the rights of differently-abled persons.
The Act echoes the human rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights treaties.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guarantees that these rights are respected for people with disabilities and the principles of this Convention are:
* Respect for everyone’s inherent dignity, freedom to make their own choices and independence;
* Non-discrimination (treating everyone fairly);
* Full participation and inclusion in society (being included in your community);
* Respect for differences and accepting people with disabilities as part of human diversity;
* Equal opportunity;
* Accessibility (having access to transportation, places and information, and not being refused access because one has a disability);
* Equality between men and women (having the same opportunities whether one is a girl or a boy); and
* Respect for the evolving capacity of children with disabilities and their right to preserve their identities (being respected for your abilities and proud of who you are).
Additionally, the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), a key partner, in collaboration with NCD will be hosting a two-day workshop for several Disabled Peoples Organisations from different regions.
The objective of this workshop is for the participants to fully understand the Act in a simplified way and their rights as outlined in the Act as a person living with a disability and to further discuss how these DPOs would sensitize their other members in their groups and persons living with disabilities in their communities.