Minister Persaud: Ministry will be pushing for Persons with Disability Act to be reviewed and amended

In an effort to streamline its programmes that target the differently-abled population and provide efficient social services to address their needs, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be pushing to have the Persons with Disability Act (2010) reviewed and amended accordingly, in 2021.

Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the subject Minister, made the disclosure during a virtual meeting with members of the National Commission on Disability this morning, September 30, 2020.

Currently, the Ministry is ‘overextended’ with many requests that fall within the purview of other Ministries. Therefore, by reviewing the legislation, all responsible Ministries will have specific roles to address the needs of this vulnerable group.

Minister Persaud said an internal review of the existing Act will determine “what areas need to be shifted, added or amended”. She anticipates by mid-November the review will be completed and the Commission will be given an opportunity to make recommendations.  

The Attorney General’s Office will lend the necessary legislative framework, Minister Persaud added.  

Training and employment  

Ms. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, the Commission’s acting Chairperson expressed gratitude to the Minster for her involvement to ensure differently-abled persons have access to the COURSERA online courses.

She revealed that all members in the Commission’s database were notified “to make good use of the opportunity … especially with the certificates being recognised.”

“Thank you for looking out for us,” Ms. Persaud-McKinnon added.

Minister Persaud, who strongly advocates for training and employment opportunities for the vulnerable, has “asked my colleagues to open the door” to recruit qualified and skilled differently-abled individuals.

Additionally, the Ministry will shortly assign a staff who will assist, conduct follow-ups and provide feedback to the deaf, blind and differently-abled persons. Attendees who joined the meeting were Mr. Whentworth Tanner, Director of Social Services, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security; Mr. Roydon Croal, Commissioner; Ms. Barbara Lawrence, Commissioner; Mr. Ganesh Singh, Commissioner; Ms. Sandra Davidson-Lowe, Programme Officer; Ms. Avonel Corrica, Communications Officer and Ms. Beverly Pile, Executive Secretary