– as NCD partners with GPA to host Media Summit

MEDIA operatives were urged to do more to safeguard the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) when the National Commission on Disability (NCD) partnered with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to host a Media Summit at the Herdmanston Lodge on Saturday.

With a population of more than 50,000 persons with disabilities living in Guyana, activists believe that the country has a far way to go in addressing many of the challenges they face.

On a daily basis many persons with disabilities encounter challenges in accessing public transportation, gaining employment, and accessing finance. Referring to persons as differently-abled, handicapped and wheelchair-bound does not help the situation, the NCD chairperson, Evelyn Hamilton, said as she addressed media operatives and persons with disabilities at the Herdmanston Lodge.

She urged them, particularly the reporters, videographers and photographers present to use the correct terms when crafting their pieces, such as “wheel chair users” and “person with a disability.”

“I hope you will continue to remind your readers/listeners or viewers that not everyone is born with a disability… some disabilities are acquired through accidents, illnesses or simply through age. I think if we remembered this we would be much more likely to treat Persons with Disabilities and all persons with respect,” Hamilton said.

Weighing in on the issue, Simone Poole, in her Disability Etiquette presentation, outlined the dos and don’ts when treating with persons with disabilities. Poole said oftentimes the views of persons with disabilities are disregarded and decisions are often made for them without consultation, but she emphasised that persons with disabilities have views and must be respected.

Legal Adviser to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Tamara Khan, in her address, said the media must play its role in helping to give effect to the commission’s objective of strategic and effective advocacy.

“This can be one of the most effective ways to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. Training provided by the National Commission on Disability can equip and empower media personnel and wider society with the tools needed for a better engagement,” Khan said.

The Legal Adviser posited that the summit will improve the way in which media operatives report not only on persons with disabilities but when treating with sensitive cases.
“Media reach, in particular, as is the focus today, would aid in dispelling myths and reveal that persons with disabilities have feelings, needs and problems like any other person. There are persons who were born with their disabilities, and there are others who acquired disabilities by accidents, violence, or the simple business of living (and ageing),” she said.
Like Khan, the NCD Chairperson said that the Summit was key to fulfilling one of the commission’s objectives to edify media operatives on the content of the Persons with Disabilities Act, specifically Sub Part 8 which speaks about communications and broadcast media.

Activist and Commissioner on the NCD Ganesh Singh bemoaned the slothful implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act as he too referenced to sub-Part 8 – Communication as an example.

Sub-Section 8:26 (1) states: “Within 10 years of coming into operation of this Act or a later date that the minister may prescribe, the person in charge of every national television station shall provide a sign language inset or subtitles in at least one newscast programme daily and special programmes covering events of national significance.”

Singh said that this article along with the other article that mandates every telephone provider to provide and install special telephone devices or units for the hearing-impaired have not been implemented as required.

It must be noted however, that in the case of the National Communications Network (NCN), sign language insets form part of its daily news along with programmes broadcasting national events.

Media operatives were also taught the basic forms of interacting with persons with disabilities, how to communicate with the deaf and hearing-impaired, communicating with the blind and visually-impaired, describing disabled persons along with what words to use and what words to avoid.

President of the Guyana Press Association Nazima Raghubir, Director of the Disability and Rehabilitation Services of the Health Ministry, Dr. Ariane Mangar and 2018 National Awardee Julie Lewis were among the other officials present.