— says spokesperson for the differently-abled as Guyana battles COVID-19

Guyana’s Society of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are among the poorest of groups in the country and should be given greater attention during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Ganesh Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, that while the government and private organisations have been assisting many citizens with food and sanitisation items, he is unaware of any specific consideration for organisation in support of PWDs.

He explained that the current nationwide lockdown of non-essential businesses has reduced the number of avenues through which PWDs would have received tangible support.

“The majority of persons with disabilities in Guyana live in poverty; it’s a fact and this has had a significant economic strain on them; reason being, they are a few that do not work and depend on charity. They don’t go out and beg but they still depend on the benevolence of persons in society that would give them regular donation and that helps them to survive. Because of this lock down and because of a lot businesses not being open and things not being normal, they are unable to receive these regular donations,” Singh stated.

He believes that more can be done to identify PWDs, notably through local government organs and community members.

Even with no special attention, Singh said most PWDs have been doing their best to ensure that they protect themselves from the virus by sanitising their walking canes or wheelchairs regularly.

“Persons with disabilities, as little as they have, they are taking the necessary precautions with sanitisers. [When it comes to] face masks, I’m sure they’re innovative by using the homemade ones, but there was no special effort by anyone to provide face masks or sanitisers, specifically to persons with disabilities,” Singh lamented.

He did note that Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) made a small donation which was later distributed to a few key persons.

The National Commission on Disability (NCD) has submitted the names of PWDs from Regions Two, Three, Five, Six and 10 — for which data exists — to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for use in these and other situations. They have also submitted a list of all organisations working for PWDs in Guyana.

RELIEF

Over 1,795 households have already benefitted from relief hampers through the CDC from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 and PWDs may have been a part of those households.

Singh said he understands that the CDC can only do so much, as the pandemic was not expected, but he hopes that more can be done to ensure PWDs are considered.
Singh commended the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health, especially when it comes to the use of sign language to cater for persons who are hearing impaired.

“The Ministry of Public Health and other agencies, they’ve been doing a pretty good job in disseminating information. I think we have a lot of information out there using all the various media and whatever discrepancies we have I’m sure they can be able to capture it on radio, television, newspaper or social media. Information is out there and I can say, without a doubt, is that they’ve been getting information.”

For PWDs who are able to move around, he said that many have been staying indoors and only emerging perhaps once a week to get essential items.

Singh said that some PWDs with chronic illnesses have reduce their clinic visits to avoid exposure to the virus. He has recommended that the government introduce a health line for persons who would have run out of crucial medication, to have access to the same.

He said that this is a suggestion the GCOPD would be pleased to facilitate but it does not have the manpower to do so.

He also issued a special reminder to wheelchair users to sanitise their wheelchair as it is especially exposed to the virus and to visually impaired persons to remember to sanitise their walking canes often, as well as their hands after touching surfaces they may have to for physical support.

Singh reiterated his earlier call, stating: “It would be good, wise and appreciated if persons who are dealing with donations and hampers and care packages, can visit homes of people with disabilities and ensure that they are secured.”