1. Realisation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities By: Simone Poole

2. Structure of Presentation Cairo Frame work in relation to disability Disability achievements in Guyana - Enactment of the Disability Act, 2010 - National Commission on Disability (NCD) Challenges faced by PWDs Recommendations

3. Cairo Frame work in relation to Disability Objective To ensure the realisation of the rights of all PWDs participation in all aspects of social, economic and cultural life. Action Government at all levels should promote mechanisms ensuring the realisation of PWDs and reinforcing their capabilities of integration.

4. Achievements Passing of the Guyana Persons with Disability Act, 2010 - Education - Employment - Health - Accessibility - Sports & Recreation - Political - Independent Living National Commission on Disability (NCD): - Policy/advisory body to the government on issues of PWD - Board of 12 Commissioners representing various sectors of society - Promote & protect the rights of PWDs

5. NCD- Strategies Development of a new Strategic Plan Sensitization of the nation on content of the Act Development of Data Base for PWD Monitoring of compliance with the Act Building capacity of DPO/DPN Advocacy /Policy Negotiation Referral System

6. : Health (Rehabilitation) Specialized services (PT, OT, SLT &Audiology) Training of rehabilitation assistants & audiology practitioner, UG Degree programme in Rehab Availability of assistive devices In 2013 MOH began pilot project CBR as a national strategy Pilot programme of screening for early identification and rehabilitation

7. Education Draft Special Needs Policy: - Teacher to pupil ratio - Career path for special needs teachers - Special Needs training compulsory at CPCE - Alternative format of information

8. Challenges of PWDs NCD not present in all regions Disability issues not a priority in national strategy plan Education: policy is still in draft Health initiatives not fully specialised Public transportation inaccessible Limited alternative formats of information for the blind, deaf Inaccessible environment (public & private building, road ways etc.)

9. Recommendations Implementation of the Disability Act 2010 so as to address the needs of the population of persons with disabilities. PWDs being registered with NCD

10. THANK YOU