– wants disability grant to replace public assistance

THE Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has said that it is looking forward to working along with the new Irfaan Ali-led government, so far as implementing the contents of the Guyana Disability Act is concerned.

The Council has, sometime ago, drafted a document that details the kind of changes that it would like to see for the approximately 49,000 persons living with disabilities across Guyana. The document is now being forwarded to various authorities for consideration.

“For too long, people with disabilities have been forced to live in poverty and depend on charity for their survival. We want that to change,” GCOPD Programme Coordinator Ganesh Singh said on Tuesday.

Speaking during an interview with Guyana Chronicle, Singh said there were some very specific things, in the Disability Act, that the Council wants to see implemented for the benefit of all those living with disabilities.

For one thing, there is the establishment of the disability grant, which would seek to replace public assistance, and would be guided by a policy that is disability specific. “This is something that we will push for; to ensure that all persons with disabilities who qualify get this financial assistance every month, because as it is right now, we only get $9,000 which is not adequate to live on,” Singh pointed out.

The Council is also hoping to see improvements in the scale of special education needs, so that children with disabilities would have more opportunities to gain a meaningful education.
According to Singh, the body would further like to see the provision of low income house lots for persons with disabilities, and a small percentage of all government jobs being given to such persons who are qualified or skilled. “We want them to have employment, or they should be given a disability grant monthly so that they may be able to live a much better life.”
Towards a more independent life, Singh said buildings should become more accessible, whether in the form of wheelchair ramps, elevators and lifts, so that those in wheelchairs can conduct their business without having to depend on others.

More importantly, the Council will be targeting amendment to existing legislation to ensure that persons with disabilities, especially those who are blind, can be able to vote independently using templates or whatever provisions available.

“We know all is not going to happen immediately, but we are willing to strategise with those in authority on a way forward,” Singh offered.
Meanwhile, the GCOPD has a STEM Robotics Programme in four special needs school in the country which had to be put on hold due to the closure of school. The programme, funded by ExxonMobil, is expected to restart once schools re-open.

The Council is also looking to restart the skills-training programme that it does in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training. This is done annually, and should resume within another few weeks.

“The Council would like to congratulate Dr. Irfaan and his government on their ascension to office. We do look forward to having a productive, positive relationship with the new government in order to ensure that the contents of the Guyana Disability Act are implemented,” Singh remarked.