The week of activities for the celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities included the launching of a bumper sticker drive on Monday morning at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown.
According to National Commission on Disability (NCD) Advocacy and Communication Officer, Avonel Corrica, the launch was a collaboration among the NCD and the Ministry of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs and others. She said that the purpose of the bumper stickers is to kick off awareness of the day with other activities leading up to December 3 under the theme, “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.”
Each bumper sticker, she explained, has a message pertaining to persons with disabilities. It also features the colour purple as well as the sunflower.
The launching also featured remarks by Minister of Heath, Dr Frank Anthony, and NCD Chairperson, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon.
Dr Anthony in his opening remarks highlighted some of what the government has been doing so far for persons with disabilities. He made mention of the $100,000 cash grant for persons with disabilities, and the distribution of hearing aids for over five hundred persons. Dr Anthony also wanted persons with disabilities to know the ministry is currently engaged in a programme to assist those who have lost a leg and need an orthopedic replacement.
Corrica noted that currently, orthopedic replacement is a paid service and many persons have suffered disabilities through accidents and cannot afford to purchase an orthopedic (prosthetic limb) replacement. She disclosed that as such, the government is working on supplying it free of cost, or if not completely free, at least they would only be required to pay a small amount for the replacement.
The Communications Officer also mentioned other activities planned including a one-hour programme on December 2 on NCN, where during the first half-hour persons with disabilities will relate the services they have accessed through the Government of Guyana and what they expect from the government for 2023.
Persaud-McKinnon spoke of the roles the NCD is currently playing in making things possible for persons with disabilities. She also highlighted some of the collaborations NCD has had with government ministries to help persons with disabilities live normal lives.
