By Nakasia Logan
December 18, 2024
Parents and guardians of persons with disabilities have expressed their appreciation for the government’s recent announcements of increased financial and educational support.
The announcement was made at a Christmas event hosted by President Irfaan Ali at State House on Tuesday.
The event brought together children from various care centers and special needs institutions across Guyana, celebrating the holiday season with festive activities.
During the occasion, President Ali revealed an additional injection of 875 million dollars to benefit those living with disabilities.
This funding is part of ongoing efforts to improve support for the disability community.
The President also highlighted the upcoming launch of the Guyana Digital School, which will include a dedicated section for special needs education, ensuring that children with disabilities can continue their learning from home.
Additionally, the government is working to improve transportation options to make education more accessible to these individuals.
The announcements were met with enthusiasm by parents and guardians in attendance.
One guardian, Abigail Bavagems, expressed her gratitude for the financial support, noting that the 35,000 dollars would help fill a significant gap in her family’s expenses, though she also urged consideration for a housing allowance for persons with disabilities.
Another parent praised the initiative, particularly highlighting her hopes for future programs for her son, who is 17 and will soon face barriers to continuing his education.
Caregivers and advocacy groups also welcomed the measures.
Ms. Philisa, a caregiver, commended the impact of the initiatives, stating that the support would benefit many families.
Advocacy groups like the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) also praised the announcements.
Ganesh Singh, Programme Manager of GCOPD, noted that several of the requests made by the organization, including more special education schools and opportunities for tertiary education, had been addressed.
This move is seen as a significant step toward creating a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities, providing both educational and financial support for families in need.