Disabled People’s Network heartened at gov’t law pledge

By Shabna Ullah

At the Blind Cricket competition and exhibition at Seafield, West Berbice earlier this month members of the Disabled People’s Network (DPN) were happy with the reaffirmation of government’s commitment to have the legislation tabled in parliament “during this session.”

Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir, who represented President Bharrat Jagdeo and bowled the first ball to declare the competition open, acknowledged that more has to be done to promote awareness and change attitudes as it pertains to the differently-able.

He assured the members of the DPN that “while the school system has been mainstreaming such behaviour changes the good work of the Ministry of Education goes unnoticed.”

He said screening programmes exist for children to examine hearing and sight abilities and remedial programmes exist through the Ministry of Health.  He also said that teachers are trained to be sensitive to the concerns of the physically-challenged and to work with these children to improve the numbers of them completing formal education.

Further the minister pointed out that, “All workers with even a modicum of ability can contribute to the national wealth and the [physically] challenged is no different.”

and 6 from right to left are: Mark Archibald, Patricia Mallay and Zoya Crandon.”]

The disability event was organized by the DPN in Region 5 in collaboration with the DPN in Regions 4 (East Coast) and 6. At the exhibition, a number of craft items produced by the DPN members in Region 5 were showcased.

Chairman of the DPN in Region Five, Mark Archibald said although just a few pieces of the items were sold, patrons were amazed at the talents of the members who meet on Mondays for craft classes and promised to return to make purchases.

He said members intend to speak to Regional Chairman, Harrinarine Baldeo “to give us a spot at the Bath Market on Fridays to take our products to sell so we can get money to sustain our organization.”

He had told this newspaper that the group recently acquired a sewing machine from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security so members will have an opportunity to learn how to sew.

Archibald pointed out that the members are eager to start cooking and cake decorating classes but the community centre building they are using needs to be extended and equipped with kitchen facilities before that can happen.

There are also plans for the organization to start joinery and masonry in January. A letter has been sent to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, requesting funds to purchase an electrical saw and other equipment.

Archibald said too that as part of their work plan for this year, the organization would be visiting schools to “enlighten the teachers and students to acknowledge persons with disabilities.”

Among those present at the event were Baldeo, Regional Executive Officer, Floyd France, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Aart Lohmann, DPN chairperson from the East Coast, Patricia Mallay and Zoya Crandon of Region 6.

With regards to the competition, Archibald said the Blind Cricket Association played against the Seafield under 15 team which won by nine runs. He said his team lost narrowly because of the unevenness of the ground.

In an invited comment, the VSO, Aart Lohmann told Stabroek News that in the past year a number of DPNs have been developed in six regions, under the umbrella of the National Disabled Persons Network.

The other areas where the DPN have been set up are in Region 2, Region 4  East Bank and Region 7.

He said: “The networks not only provide support for disabled persons in the regions but have also been making an all-out effort in advocacy for disability. Whilst some positive progression has been achieved to date there is still a lot to improve for disabled persons in this country.”

The DPN, he said “distinguishes itself as being cross-disability [not specific] organizations and having an almost nationwide network via the regional networks.”

An important aspiration to be realized, he said, is the School Information Campaign 2010 which would be carried out by the networks.

“Disabled persons will visit all primary schools in their regions informing pupils, teachers and parents about living and coping with disability,” he said. But sadly, “a great potential obstacle for this campaign is the transport. The groups lack any money to cover these costs.”

He was pleased though, that a representative of the Ministry of Education “has assured that the ministry will cooperate to find a solution to the transport problem.”

“Moreover there is a great opportunity to unite the strengths and ongoing efforts of ministry to teach the teachers about disability and this initiative of transfer of real life experience of disabled persons themselves,” he pointed out.

According to Lohmann, persons who are blind, deaf and physically or mentally challenged have a higher risk of isolation. He said they can “benefit from being part of a group and moreover build self-esteem by their contribution to gain a better position and equal rights for disabled persons in society of Guyana.”

Lohmann is encouraging persons to contact Mark Archibald on 232-3351/678-8777, Patricia Mallay on 220-9263 and Zoya Crandon on

645-4336 to become members of their organizations.

He also said that chairperson of the DPN in Essequibo, Lloyd Griffith can be reached at 774-4390, David Burnette of Region 4 (East Bank) at

218-2017 and Lennox Wyatt of Region 7 at 602-2006.