Gov’t committed to ensuring equality, integration of differently-able people- President Ramotar- at launch of Commission on Disability
Georgetown, GINA, May 7, 2012
President Donald Ramotar and new members on the National Commission on Disability
Twelve persons were today officially inaugurated as commissioners at the formal launch of the National Commission on Disability at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street. The establishment of this commission is in accordance with Sections Two and Five of the Guyana Persons with Disability Act of 2010.
Delivering the feature address, President Donald Ramotar said that people with disabilities are the world’s largest minority; noting that Guyana has approximately 48,000 people in that category.
He noted that notwithstanding their disabilities, these people are productive citizens and need to be given every opportunity to equally participate in every aspect of society.
Guyana’s constitution was amended in 2003 to declare discrimination against people with disabilities as unconstitutional.
“My administration is highly supportive of ensuring equality and integration of differently-able people in our society. They deserve to be treated equally, to be protected against discrimination and to be supported in achieving their personal goals,” the President stated.
He explained that discrimination against people who are differently-able would be robbing society of the contributions that they can make to the country’s development; pointing out that some of the brightest minds in science, music and other fields were people with disabilities.
Recognising that equal access to employment opportunities has proven to be difficult for differently-able people, the Disability Act requires the commission to educate employers and the public and make recommendations to improve employment practices in relation to people with disabilities.
Further, the commission is tasked with the responsibility of facilitating the provision of assistance for persons with disabilities to obtain redress if they are discriminated against or if their rights are in any violated or infringed.
President Donald Ramotar delivering the feature address at the launch of the National Commission on Disability at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street
“My Government has noted that progress of the National Commission on Disability, which since its establishment, has worked extensively to empower people with disability, help them to know their rights and building their capacity to be advocates for the fulfillment of these rights,” President Ramotar said.
As a result of the skills and capacity-building workshops, people with disabilities were integral in advocating for the passing of the Disabilities Bill which became an Act after it was assented to by former President Bharrat Jagdeo in November 2010.
Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster in her remarks said that, “as leaders we have a responsibility to recognise the importance of reducing the environmental barriers that hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in our society.”
She added that this year, the Human Services Ministry will collaborate closely with the commission and become more involved in the implementation of the legislation and provide the necessary support.
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran also pledged his Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the commission in carrying out its mandate as stipulated in the Act. He disclosed that his Ministry has already identified certain flagship days on the health calendar when special services will be offered to people with disabilities.
The new members of the commission are: Barbara Haley from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ganesh Singh and Zoya Crandon from the Disabled People’s Organisation, Margaret Williams from the Bartica Support Group for Persons with Disabilities, Sherwood Clark, Organised Labour, Peter DeGroot representing the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Visudhi Persaud from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Floyd Rudder, Ministry of Human Services, Evelyn Hamilton, Ministry of Education, Colin Ault from LINSEED, Barbara Lawrence, Ministry of Health and Prandatt Basdeo from the Labour Ministry.
The Guyana Persons with Disability Act provides certain rights to persons with disabilities, facilitate the enforcement of those rights, eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability, and provide for the welfare, rehabilitation and registration of persons with disabilities.