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Disability movement calling for the fulfillment of rights under new law

May 31, 2011 News

… Blind awareness month culmination

In recognition of the blind awareness month, the visually impaired and sighted people are coming together today (the final day) to form a chain of people and canes around Parliament buildings to raise awareness of disability rights.
They are also going to call on the government to enact the long overdue implementation of the Persons with Disability Act 2010.
Specifically, the disability movement is calling for the fulfillment of rights under education, employment and independent living so that people with disabilities (PWDs) are able to support themselves and live their own lives through their own choices.
Passed last year, the PWD Act sets out the rights and freedoms of PWDs to ensure they are able to live independent and fulfilled lives in Guyana.
“Persons with disabilities do not want pity or charity. We want to be able to live independent lives, to have the freedom to make our own decisions and to be in a position to contribute to our country’s development.
“We’re meeting outside Parliament at the close of Blind Awareness Month to remind our law-makers of their promises to us and to call for the implementation of the legislation so that we can learn skills for work, the same as anyone else, and have the opportunities to go for jobs, the same as anyone else, only then will we be truly independent.” Cecil Morris, President of Guyana Society for the Blind said.
According to the last census an estimated 50,000 people live with disabilities in Guyana and will benefit from implementation of the new legislation.
Today’s Chain for Change event calls on the Ministries of Education, Labour, and Human Services to fulfill their responsibilities under the legislation so that PWDs are able to be independent.
Handbills which will be issued at the event set out the demands of the disability community to the Government. These include calling for children with disabilities to be in school and learning, for PWDs to have equal access to skill training and job opportunities and asking for Ministry of Human Services to provide the mobility aids counselling and financial support to PWDs and their families as set out in the new legislation.
In March, the President and the Minister of Labour, Minister for Health and Minister of Housing and representatives for Ministries of Education and Human Services, all appeared at the Launch of the Sensitisation Programme for the PWD Act, showing their support and commitment to the implementation process.
Organisations invited to partake include disabled persons organisations, the National Commission on Disability, VSO and other volunteers, ophthalmology and rehabilitation students, students of special needs schools in the local areas.

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