A Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) volunteer last week presented the National Commission on Disability (NCD) with a five-year strategic plan which focuses on advocacy and social inclusion and coordinating and capacity building.

The plan also includes components relating to the monitoring of compliance with the legislation as well as the development of the NCD.

The 2007-2011 strategic plan was handed over to NCD Administrative Officer Beverly Pile by VSO volunteer Allende Marin.

The plan, according to Pile, was carefully thought out by a number of stakeholders. And identified to receive urgent attention are the recruitment of new staff for the commission, the training of staff, employment sensitization, and a heightened public awareness programme on issues that face disabled persons.

More often than not, Pile noted, disabled persons are stigmatized because of their disabilities. She also pointed out that businesses in most cases do not hire persons with disabilities.

The NCD administrative officer stressed, however, that if given the opportunity persons with disabilities can perform with excellence.

According to Pile the components of the five-year plan which deal with advocacy and social inclusion will seek to remove the stigma attached to disabled persons. In addition, the commission over the next few months will be working closely with a number of stakeholders.

Meanwhile, several parent-led community groups are also expected to be established countrywide. By June of next year, Pile said, the commission is expected to establish resource centres in almost every region since they have been receiving complaints about the organization being based only in Georgetown and serving that geographical area alone.

VSO volunteer Marin said that the VSO will ensure that relationships are maintained with international donor organizations and other local organizations to ensure capacity building for the NCD staff. The volunteer said that the organization would also be formulating consultations on having persons with disabilities involved in every possible activity.

In addition, the VSO would seek to ensure that the legislation for persons with disabilities is implemented as prescribed and provides the necessary alternative action that covers persons who fall under it. Sensitizing persons about their rights and the legislation will also be high on the agenda for the VSO. Other areas would include developing the financial, human and technical resources.

The NCD was established on December 10, 1997. The main objective is to have persons with disabilities lead full and productive lives. Each year the organization receives a subvention from the government to the tune of $2.5M.