President Ramotar, Minister Webster appeal on disabled behalf
THE National Commission on Disability (NCD) was formally inaugurated on Monday, at Regency Suites Hotel, on Hadfield Street, in Georgetown. Speaking at the function, President Donald Ramotar reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to working with all peoples of this country, including those with disabilities.
He emphasised the need for there to be equal opportunities for disabled persons to be able to access all the services offered by the Administration.
The Head of State said the previous Administration had, always, embraced persons with disabilities and this will be no different.
He also expressed the hope for other people to be totally supportive of that group of persons, who have contributed, significantly, to the world and, in the case of Guyana, the testimony is the same.
The President stated that persons with disabilities have proven themselves to be very talented and he mentioned areas such as music and songs.
The Commission announced 12 commissioners who will be serving for a three-year period, some of whom had served on the previous body whose life ended on March 31 but were re-appointed.
Committed
In her remarks, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are employed.
She observed that the lack of opportunities contributes to the poverty cycle and, as a result, such persons are deemed to be the most vulnerable in society.
The Minister reminded that Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, having signed on to it since April 11, 2007.
She said the agreement reaffirmed the universality, indivisibility, inter-dependence, inter-relatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Further, Webster explained that it also speaks to the need for persons with disabilities to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination, noting that they are the world’s largest minority.
She said, in Guyana, there are approximately 48,000 people living with disabilities, according to a census conducted in 2002, which indicated that the disabled are about 6.4 percent of the total Guyanese population.
That aside, Webster said they have proved to be some of the most productive citizens and should be afforded  opportunities to contribute to this country’s national development.
Challenges
Inaccessible workplaces, limited training and education opportunities, high transportation costs and cultural barriers are just some of the real challenges  persons with disabilities face almost every day, the Minister pointed out.
She said those issues were related to her during conversations she had with leaders of groups who accommodate or represent persons with disabilities.
Webster also made mention of several children, similarly affected, who are excluded from the school system by their inability to access the buildings.
She expressed the view that her colleague Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand will address that issue, especially given her experience of working with these groups in her previous ministerial portfolio.
Webster maintained that, as leaders, there is a right and responsibility of recognising the importance of reducing the environmental barriers that hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in this society.
She added that, this year, one of her ministry’s top priorities will be to collaborate with the NCD in becoming more involved and having a steady presence in ensuring the implementation of the legislation and provide support through the work of the Probation and Social Service Department in all the 10 administrative regions.
Minister Webster called for all public buildings and offices and any other place that provide a service to the public to ensure that their services are designed in a way that can accommodate persons with disabilities.
Belonging
She said, once that is done, it will give the persons with disabilities a better sense of belonging and ensure that they, truly, enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms.
Such action will see a significant advancement of the human, social and economic development of our society and the eradication of poverty, Webster stated.
She challenged all Guyanese to support the NCD in its work to execute the mandate to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities and advocate for their rights.