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Disability Act becomes reality

Mar 08, 2011 News

– “We are no longer dem people”

The National Commission on Disability (NCD) launched its sensitization programme for persons with disabilities Act 2010 at Regency Suite, Hadfield Street yesterday.
In attendance were President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy, Chairman of NCD Evelyn Hamilton, Chairman of Guyana Council of Organisation for persons with disabilities, Leon Walcott, members of the Cabinet, and Deputy Chief Education Officer, Donna Chapman.
The NCD Chairman, Evelyn Hamilton, said that persons with disabilities are supposed to enjoy their rights as citizens and to live full and productive lives.
Hamilton said that the commission has been supported by the Ministry of Health and its technical officers, while the other Ministries have also played their part.
She said after the launching there will be a workshop that will engage some of the various councils on disabilities so they can go out and sensitize persons on the disabilities Act 2010.
In addition, Hamilton said that the work of the disability commission continues as it moves from strength to strength, and she hopes that the various ministries continue to give their support.
According to Chairman of Guyana Council of Organisation for persons with disabilities, Leon Walcott, persons with disabilities tend to still be excluded from mainstream activities, and the Act is another step in the direction of removing that exclusion and encouraging inclusion.
Adding that the Council of Organisation for persons with disabilities comprises a forum of almost 20 organisations, Walcott said the NCD has been leading in the struggle with persons with disabilities. “We will no longer be regarded as charity cases….and dem handicap people, because of these exercises of awareness raising, capacity building, and empowerment.”
Deputy Chief Education Officer, Donna Chapman, said that persons with disabilities are indeed able Guyanese and the Ministry of Education has been leading the way with their support.
She said that the Ministry looks forward to guidance from the NCD to provide access of quality education to persons with disabilities, and as such the Ministry recognises that the issue of disability is indeed a human right issue. “The Ministry is making all efforts to provide a more inclusive education for learners with disabilities….four schools with a small number but it is a start, four Primary schools in Georgetown and Region four has introduced sign language as a strategy for implementing the curriculum.”
Ms Chapman said there will be a need to promote respect, tolerance and diversity in the inclusive education classes.
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the Disability Act 2010 seeks to change the paradigm of persons living with disability. As such the act seeks to secure their freedom, secure their rights, and their privileges of citizens, equal rights to pursue health, to pursue education, to pursue housing, to participate in sports and public events, and all the things other citizens enjoy will be guarantee under the new Disability Act 2010.
He said that for the first time there is now a vehicle that can transport persons with disabilities…”We live in a country that no longer excludes people; we live in a country that seeks to enshrine our rights not only in our constitution but our law.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo said that through commitment of people who want to make a difference, progress was made over the years to implement the Disability Act 2010.
The Head of state said that to make the Act work there is need for a strong commitment by the Government which exist, and there is need for a strong partnership with the organisations that are going to make a difference.
Jagdeo also noted that there is need for more financial input in the disability sector which is under-funded, and as the economy improves more money will be directed in this area.

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