PRESIDENT Jagdeo has assented to the Disability Act 2010 on November 2010. I think everyone will understand that I shall be speaking of the views we as disabled people face on a daily basis in this country. The most logical way of beginning any discussion of our Disability Act is to start with the Act which we have and to ask what is wrong with it and what are the remedies. All disabled men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests. Such broad participation is built on freedom of association and speech as well as capacities to participate constructively. It is important to emphasize that last year was spent working steadily on review, analysis, assessment and diagnosis of the bill and the system that are vital to good and better service delivery to the disabled and better standard of living.
The differently-able community is pleased with the enactment of the bill. Even with the Act now in force, however, there is the notion that much still needs to be done for differently-able people in Guyana. There is discrimination faced by some differently-able persons occurs with public transportation, Public assistance, passes for the steamers etc are hopes that the new Act will allow differently-able persons to be treated equally in all aspect of life and among society.
A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its peoples feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being. We live in an age in which scientific principles are being adapted increasingly to serve the needs of mankind; this is the basis of modern technology. No country today can transform itself into a modern state without the development of the disabled.
In the final analysis, the one lap-top computer for the family can help the disabled and encourage and facilitate research.
The Act has emerged out of an historical experience which culminated in the entrenched of those economic and associated social and hardship faced by the disabled. This was the symbol of the difficult circumstances under which we lived and which we would have to tolerate throughout our lives. I think President Bharrat Jagdeo came to realize that our rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced. This is to ensure that there is considerable feedback from all stakeholders sitting on the Disabled Board. The process will not be completed successfully and productively until all the participating stakeholders have honoured their commitments-that means ongoing interaction with one another on problems facing the differently-able.