Enough not being done for the disabled – Disabled Fraternity

Nov 18, 2014 News

While some factions of society are of the belief that sincere efforts are being made

Mr Omar Cooper (second from left) displays a copy of the Disability Act. He is flanked by representatives of the Demerara Charitable Foundation (Mr Mike Singh (left) and Mr Keith Park) along with Founder of the Monique’s Caring Hands Centre Dr Dawn Stewart-Lyken.

by the relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are adhered to, there are however, some within the disabled fraternity who are otherwise convinced.
And this was particularly evident when representative of the Guyana Disabled Organisation, Mr. Omar Cooper, shared his conviction that enough is not being done for the disabled in the society. Cooper, whose disability was the result of a vehicular accident in 1991, said that since he recuperated he has been involved in the disabled organisation.
Cooper during an interview with this publication related that he was a passenger in a minibus that collided with a Guyana Sugar Corporation truck. The accident resulted in three persons dying and him suffering the worse injuries. His injuries included damaged hands and feet among others.
Although he has mostly recovered, Cooper’s deformed hands and feet still remind of that horrific accident.
But instead of merely indulging in self-pity, he decided to take matters into his own hands by advocating for the rights of the disabled. “Ever since I have been trying to mobilise, stabilise and galvanise my fellow people with disability…It was not for pity, but to draw attention to the disability situation in Guyana,” explained Cooper.
He noted, though, that despite sustained efforts to amplify the need to respect the rights of disabled persons even with the realisation of the Disability Act, “we are not getting things the way they should be, especially employment and other societal attention.”
“There are a lot of people with disabilities who are qualified, but people are not interested in them simply because they are disabled in one way or another…They are not giving us the opportunity to prove ourselves in spite of the passage of the (Disability) Bill,” said Cooper.
The Disability Act of 2010 is one that speaks to the need for employment for persons with disabilities, access to transportation and public buildings, and access to information among others.
“The Act is there but it has turned out to be just a pamphlet because it ain’t doing nothing…People with disability still going through a lot of things; we’re still having difficulties getting through at the hospitals, transportation wise, and disable people are verbally abused and treated with scorn by some members of the public,” disclosed an evidently concerned Cooper.
But while he is not satisfied with the efforts currently being made, Cooper nevertheless, shared his belief that a great deal was done for disabled persons when Minister Priya Manickchand held the portfolio of Minister of Human Services.
“To me when she was there, there was more action, there was more seriousness, there was more caring…but she is no more there and Amen, story done.”
“The Disability Commission needs to do more, not just talk; we need to see action…There is too much waste talk,” said Cooper as he noted that the 58-member strong Disabled Organisation has however, been gaining some support from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana and a few other humanitarian organisations.
Cooper’s disclosures were mirrored by another member of his organisation, Yvonne DeAbreu.
DeAbreu, like Cooper, shares the belief that “the legislation has not made much of a difference. It made a difference to a point; there is improvement in the area of education but that’s just the first stage.”
According to the young woman who was born with cerebral palsy, there is still a great need for focus to be directed to issues such as health care and housing. She was particularly perturbed by what she deemed convenient attention. “When they are ready to give focus to disabled persons in December, then you hear about all the plans for persons with disability…After that they just slide us along into the corner.”
It is her firm belief that there is need for sustained efforts to ensure that disabled persons are properly and comfortably integrated into the society.

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