US will support youths with disabilities to become ‘change agents’ – Ambassador

– says more work needed to ensure full rights for PWD

The National Youth with Disabilities Conference on Friday kickstarted with a pledge from the United States Government to support youths in advocating for due inclusion, rights and a seat at the decision-making table.
The conference was organised by the Guyana Council for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and with support from USAID.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot underscored that Guyana, like many countries, still has work to do in ensuring full rights for persons with disabilities.
Theriot told the persons gathered, “You’re showing that young people with disabilities, like all youths, must be valued and respected as equal partners in development. For that to happen, we must create an inclusive society that recognises and supports each individual’s participation. To be honest, Guyana is not the only place where we have work to do. The United States has work to do on that as well.”

The diplomat reassured of support in ensuring that these youths become changemakers in their respective societies and at the national level.
“Your advocacy will continue to tangibly improve the lives of people with disabilities. The US Government recognises the importance of young people as positive change agents and will continue to empower young Guyanese through our USAID programmes, public affairs programmes and partnerships with the Guyanese Government.”
Programme Manager at GCOPD, Ganesh Singh outlined during the conference that youths will be able to assess the current disability landscape and strategise to ensure that their rights are implemented.
Singh added that significant support has been given in the areas advocated for in recent years.
He discussed, “Over the past three to four years, we have seen significant development and transformation as it relates to disability. A lot of what we requested and advocated for were and are being implemented across the country. The lives of persons with disabilities are being improved and as an organisation, we are of the view that young persons with disabilities have a critical role to play in this transformation.”
Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson promised his Government’s commitment to structure policies which result in equality among the population, and ensure that persons with disabilities are offered the necessary assistance to transform their lives.
“As far as this Government is concerned, every life is of equal value. That’s a philosophy that pervades across all the policies that we’re looking to either enact or already exist…The Government continues to view persons with disabilities as an important partner in development and will continue to consult with you in the development and implementation of programmes and policies to improve the lives of persons with disabilities,” Ramson noted.
In 2021, over $120 million was allocated in the budget for training of persons with disabilities, provision of assistive aids and establishment of business revolving funds. Then by 2022, 260 persons benefitted from training through the Human Services Ministry while over 700 received assistive aids such as wheelchairs and canes.
In June 2022, a one-off grant of $100,000 was announced by the Government for children with disabilities, which benefitted over 5000 children.
One year later, the Human Services Ministry removed the means test for persons to access their public assistance once it was established that the said individual was living with a disability. This change saw an increase of 6000 persons accessing these funds.
This year, a state-of-the-art centre for persons with disabilities was commissioned, called the Learning Lab. To date, over 200 persons have been trained through the lab, with projections that it will double in 2024. In addition, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced a one-off bonus of $35,000 to persons living with disabilities which will be paid in time for Christmas.
At the inaugural conference last year, relevant areas where youths with disabilities lobbied to see significant changes included leadership and governance, employment, and accessibility.
Their declaration also addressed the need to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act, barriers which prevent meaningful participation and engagement, accessibility, and overall guidance to accommodate persons with disabilities. (G-12)