DISABLED PEOPLE are to have better access to formal education, job training as well as improved access to services such as public transportation, under a National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday.
The policy has been developed in keeping with the United Nations Standard Rules for the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. It was tabled by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Donald Buchanan.
It seeks to address 10 areas of public life in which disabled persons are disadvantaged -- education, vocational training, employment, accommodation, communications, housing and accessibility, political and civil rights, family life, culture and recreation and sports.
Mr. Buchanan said there would be a project, under the theme Enabling the Disabled, to train 2,000 people (400 per year) with disabilities in Information Technology over the next five years.
The policy document pointed out that access to education was one of the major impediments faced by disabled persons as their ability to fit into the educational system depended on the nature of their disability, their socio-economic background and their family support system.
It said 75 per cent of disabled people had primary level education as their highest level of educational achievement, as compared with 50 per cent of the total population. About 10 per cent had secondary education and 0.4 per cent were university educated. This compares with 30 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively, in the general population.
Education, even at the primary level is inadequate for the disabled, said the document. Many are left out of the system for reasons such as inadequate assessment and placement services, lack of specialised equipment, shortage of staff such as physiotherapists and audiologists. In addition, disabled children in rural areas faced problems of accessibility and transportation, it said.
In terms of health, the policy promised an ongoing national registration programme from the point of diagnosis to determine the nature of disability, services required and location.
Buses coming into the island are to be equipped to provide access to the disabled and those already in use are to be modified. Polling stations are to be made accessible during national and local elections and voting instructions should be available in Braille, sign language and larger type posters.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga asked the Minister about the fate of DEEDS Industries (Diversified Economic Enterprise for Disabled Self-help), which had provided employment for disabled persons since 1983. Mr. Buchanan said he could not provide the information but would enquire and report back to Parliament.
DEEDS, formed by the Combined Disabilities Association, had provided jobs for disabled persons, producing furniture and toys for the local and export market, until financial problems led to its closure last June.
