–authorities engaging call centres, utilising technology to create job opportunities
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has assured members of the National Commission on Disability (NCD) that the government has a proactive agenda for the enhancement of the welfare and living conditions of persons with disabilities in Guyana.

“We have an agenda that looks at improving the living conditions, the welfare and ensuring that we mainstream our efforts in relation to persons living with disabilities in the social and economic development of the country,” President Ali said.

The President related that the government’s plan is not being rolled out without direction, as there were engagements with different groups across the country. Already, there are measures in place to enhance the lives of Guyanese with disabilities.

He said that his government made provisions in the budget to commence the construction of facilities, while it has also assisted through a one-off cash grant of $25,000 each for persons living with disabilities.

“Of course, we see this as just the beginning, we have to look at facilities throughout the country and in all the regions, so that we can better be able to provide services,” President Ali said.

The Head of State also noted that the government has engaged the private sector to help facilitate employment for persons with disabilities.

He said that technological advancement has made it easier for persons with disabilities to be able to work in certain industries, such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, which allows persons to work from home.

WORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Ali related that the government and new call centres are streamlining programmes to enhance the efficiency of the available technology, to help develop working opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

The President added that the government is also working on moving a number of its services to an online, ICT platform; high on the agenda is an effective 911 system and the development of an online government query system.

Those systems will be designed to create working opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

The Head of State said that this would help persons to be “economically empowered,” and that’s an important part of the equation.

“It is not just about providing the facilities and earmarking resources; it’s ensuring that they have an opportunity to actively participate in the advancement and development of the country,” Dr. Ali said.

He noted too that the government is engaging the banking sector to help facilitate homeownership for persons living with disabilities.

“Of course, the government will have to actually step up in a bigger way and this will have to be a major part of our social outsourcing… I can assure you that we will work as hard as possible to ensure that we have greater integration and greater support for persons living with disabilities,” President Ali said.

Acting Chairperson of the NCD, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, expressed gratitude to President Ali for facilitating the meeting and for ensuring that provisions were made for persons with disabilities through the one-off cash grant.

She also said that she is pleased to hear all the steps and strategies that the government has been exploring and implementing to improve the lives of persons living with disabilities. (Office of the President)