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Govt., PAHO move to boost disability inclusion with budget 2026 backing
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning (MOLMP) on Wednesday engaged in high-level virtual talks with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to advance efforts aimed at strengthening national systems that support persons living with disabilities (PWDs).
The meeting forms part of Guyana’s participation in the Assistive Technology Assessment (ATA) under the WHO GATE Initiative and AT2030 Programme, which evaluates the country’s readiness to expand access to assistive technology, improve workplace accommodations, and widen inclusive employment opportunities.
Labour Minister Keoma Griffith
The engagement follows the presentation of Budget 2026, which signals the Government’s renewed push to enhance empowerment and social inclusion for PWDs, the ministry said in a press release. Labour Minister Keoma Griffith highlighted key budgetary commitments, include skills training for more than 1,200 persons living with disabilities; over 70 PWDs are targeted to receive entrepreneurial loans, supporting pathways to self-employment and financial independence; construction has begun on Guyana’s first school for autistic learners at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPC); $316.5 million has been allocated for the establishment of CEMS Centres in every region and an ASEN Unit at Port Kaituma Primary and government’s national disability-support effort including the payment of permanent disability benefits to more than 26,000 persons, and the distribution of a $50,000 one-off grant for all registered PWDs.
These measures follow significant progress made in 2025, including the construction of Guyana’s first school for the hearing impaired, expanded teacher training in special education needs, and increased access to literacy and skills development programmes, the press release added.
Discussions between MOLMP and PAHO focused on improving national mechanisms that support PWDs in securing work, accessing assistive technology, and benefiting from structured return-to-work and skills programmes. Key areas included: enhancing the inclusion of PWDs in labour market initiatives; strengthening workplace accommodation systems and assistive technology support; improving inter-ministerial coordination to deliver integrated services across health, labour, education, social services, and national insurance systems; expanding accessible skills training through the Board of Industrial; training (BIT) and TVET institutions and elevating data collection on disability and employment to better guide policy and investment decisions.
According to the press release, Minister Griffith underscored that these efforts align with Guyana’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and reflect the Government’s broader vision for inclusive national development. Minister Griffith reiterated that the Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that all persons living with disabilities are provided with opportunities to participate fully in the economy. He emphasised that Budget 2026, combined with ongoing cross-sectoral collaboration, will advance the goal of creating a more enabling environment that supports empowerment, resilience, and meaningful employment for PWDs nationwide. The ministry will continue to work closely with PAHO/WHO and partner agencies as the ATA process progresses.
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