MEMBERS of the Disabled People’s Network (DPN) in Region 5 sought an audience with President Donald Ramotar Monday to make several requests that they believe are critical to the development of the organisation. The group, led by President Mark Archibald and Halina Pasiecznik of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), is seeking support in the area of skills training, fencing for the building and a subvention.
Archibald told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the general objective is to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to live comfortable lives and attract more persons to the Region 5 organisation.
DPN has a membership of 45, and according to Archibald, the number is increasing. The group left the meeting satisfied as President Ramotar offered to help in any way he could.
Pasiecznik, who has been working with the DPN and other differently-abled organisations in Region 5 for over one year, said the leadership shown by the DPN is commendable.
“They want to stand on their own feet… they got a flag project and they want to build their concrete blocks and sell them; without a group like this, a lot of people with disabilities would not even leave their own homes in the day,” Pasiecznik said.
Last year, a pledge of $20M was made by the government for the creation of specific initiatives that would ensure persons with disabilities are a productive part of the country’s work force.
The pledge was made when commissioners from the National Commission on Disability (NCD), members of organizations representing the blind, the hearing impaired and physically disabled, and the newly established group for persons with autism, gathered for an engagement with government officials.
The promise was made with the understanding that the differently-abled have complete autonomy in deciding the initiatives to which the $20M will be directed, and that the fund will be recurrent in the National Budget on an annual basis, separate from initiatives that the government will fund through the various ministries and agencies for the differently-abled.
On November 2, 2010, the Persons with Disabilities Act was signed into law, providing specific  rights to persons with disabilities, including the promotion, protection and equal enjoyment of their rights, eliminating discrimination on the basis of disability, and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
Pasiecznik described the Act as landmark legislation for persons with disabilities, and was pleased with yesterday’s meeting with President Ramotar.