Disability Inclusion
    in Latin America
    and the Caribbean




                                                                                                                                                  Photo: Ahmani Vidal




The Situation in                                                                                 OPPORTUNITIES
Dominica                                                             ●	   	 To engage on disability inclusion with the Government, building on
March 20231                                                                 initial discussions on inclusive agriculture.
                                                                     ●	   	 To strengthen collection of disaggregated data and target
                                                                            awareness campaigns to promote participation of persons with
                                                                            disabilities.
                                                                     ●	   	 To support the Government of Dominica to establish platforms
                                                                            and mechanisms to include persons with disabilities at all levels of
	 This profile provides an overview of the legal and social
1
                                                                            consultation and planning.
  context affecting persons with disabilities with the
  objective to support the Government and the World
                                                                     ●	   	 Support the government of Dominica to participate in International
  Bank’s commitments on Disability Inclusion adopted                        and Regional platforms for disability-inclusive disaster risk
  at the Global Disability Summit in 2018 and the                           management to respond to climate change.
  institution’s Environmental and Social Framework. The
  profile is based on a literature review of publicly official
  available documents but especially based on the World
  Bank Regional Report ‘Disability Inclusion in Latin
  America and the Caribbean: A Path to Sustainable
  Development. This is a World Bank product co-                  I.  Objective   
  financed by the Canada Caribbean Resilience Facility.
  The brief was prepared by a team led by María Elena
                                                                 The objective of this note is to identify national entry points to include persons
  García Mora and Naraya Carrasco that included                 with disabilities in Dominica. This note was prepared to accompany the
  Camilo Vargas Sosa, Melissa Zumaeta, Cristina Leria,           operationalization of the regional report ‘Disability Inclusion in Latin America
  Miguel Garza and Linda Anderson-Berry. It includes
  significant inputs from Sanjay Agarwal, Yaprak Servi,          and the Caribbean : A Path to Sustainable Development.’ 2 It is meant to help
  Melike Egilmezler, María Inés Garcia Calderón (edit) and    guide the Government and the World Bank to strengthen disability-inclusion
  Iván García Estébanez (design). For additional inquiries    at the country level. It is not an exhaustive analysis on disability-inclusion in
  on disability inclusion in LAC, task teams, and/or
  country teams, through the project/country Social              the country.
  Development Specialists, should reach out to the
  regional focal point on disability inclusion in LCR, Maria
  Elena Garcia Mora (mgarciamora@worldbank.org). For
  inquiries on disability inclusion globally, please contact     	 García Mora, María Elena, Steven Schwartz Orellana and Germán Freire. 2021. Disability
                                                                 2

  the WB Disability Advisor Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo               Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to Sustainable Development.
  (cmcclainnhlapo@worldbank.org).                                  Washington, DC: World Bank.
        Disability Inclusion in
        Latin America and the     The situation in Dominica
        Caribbean




    Although the regional report establishes that the inclusion of                 2). The Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance has
    persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean                   published some (limited) analysis of disability prevalence in both
    has progressed over the last two decades, much remains to be                   the 2001 and 2011 National Census of Population and Housing.6
    done to achieve their social and economic inclusion. In general,
    persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean                    TABLE 1. Comparative indicators for Persons with
    are more likely to be poor and vulnerable, have fewer years of                    Disabilities vs. Persons without Disabilities
    education, have poor labor market indicators, and are more
    frequent victims of discrimination, among many other gaps.                                                                   Persons            Persons
                                                                                                                                   with             without
                                                                                                                                disabilities       disabilities
                                                                                                                                    (%)                (%)

    II.  Persons with Disabilities at a Glance                                       Percentage of children attending               n/a               n/a
                                                                                     school (3–18 years old)
    It is estimated that around 15 percent of the global population—
    one billion people—are persons with disabilities.3 Approximately                 Percentage of persons aged 18–59               n/a               n/a
                                                                                     who have completed secondary
    750,000 of them live in the Anglophone Caribbean, (which                         education
    includes Dominica), i.e., 15 percent of the population.4
                                                                                     Percentage of persons aged 15–59               n/a               n/a
    According to the 2011 census, about 5.2 percent of persons in                    that are economically active
    Dominica had a disability.5 However, due to inconsistent data                    Employment rate (UNICEF, 2018)                 n/a               n/a
    collection and understanding of what constitutes disability
                                                                                     Access to internet                             n/a               n/a
    this is an underestimate. The most common type of disabili-
    ty in Dominica is associated with physical mobility (see Table                   Household access to cellphones                 n/a               n/a



                        TABLE 2. Dominica Population by Type of Disability 2001 and 2011- expressed as
                         population numbers and % change between 2001 and 2011 national censuses 

        Type of Disability                                      2001 number                         2011 number                   % Change 2001–2011 

        Sight                                                        786                                1,150                             46.3 

        Hearing                                                      325                                398                               22.3 

        Speech                                                       483                                 491                                1.7 

        Mobility                                                    1,150                               1,360                              18.3 

        Body Movements                                               442                                600                                35.7 

        Gripping                                                     138                                  170                             23.0 

        Learning                                                     253                                238                                -6.0 

        Behavioural                                                  565                                325                               -42.5 

        Other                                                        194                                358                               84.4 

        Not Stated                                                   35                                  139                               n/a 

    Source: 2001 and 2011 Population and Housing Census




    3
      	 World Bank and WHO, “World Report on Disability,” 2011, https://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf?ua=1. This prevalence is
        similar to that reported for the Latin America and Caribbean region (14.7%) in the 2021 World Bank report “Disability Inclusion in Latin America and
        the Caribbean: A Path to Sustainable Development”, see https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/36628
    4
     	 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Human Rights and Persons with Disabilities in the Anglophone Caribbean (2018).
    5
        Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance, Roseau, Dominica (2018). Disability Statistics N° 1. Available at: https://stats.gov.dm/wp-
        content/uploads/2019/10/Disability-Report.pdf
    6
      	 The Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Finance, Roseau, Dominica - Population and Housing Statics. Available at: https://stats.gov.dm/wp-
        content/uploads/2020/04/2011-Population-and-Housing-Census.pdf



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                                                                                                                               Disability Inclusion in
                                                                                      The situation in Dominica                Latin America and the
                                                                                                                               Caribbean




                                TABLE 3. Population by Disability disaggregated by sex: 2011

                     Seeing         Hearing             Speaking                 Learning         Behavior         Mobility        Body movements 

    Both sexes        1,150           398                  491                     238              325             1,360                 600

    Male              525             199                  288                     134              210             605                    261

    Female            625             199                  203                     104               115             755                   339

Source: Central Statistics Office of Dominica: Population with Disability 2011


Prevalence is greatest in mobility and vision for both censuses.                 difficulties have not yet been developed. Children with special
With the exception of speech disability which is higher among                    needs are catered for by a very limited number of specialist
males, prevalence is generally higher among females. In                          schools rather than mainstreamed in the public school system.
hearing impairments, numbers were generally equal across all                     Inclusive education has had many challenges, including lack of
age groups. There is an increase in the prevalence of disability                 human resources, limited access to materials and equipment,
from 2001 to 2010. The only exceptions are in learning and                       and a silent culture of exclusion among schools.8
behavioral disabilities, which appear to have decreased in
                                                                                 A Special Education Policy to equip and motivate education
prevalence. This may have been the outcome of a targeted
                                                                                 professionals and develop a framework to address the individual
social policy.
                                                                                 educational needs of children with a range of physical, sensory
                                                                                 and intellectual disabilities is in draft form.9

III.  Poverty and Vulnerability                                                  Although no more detailed information on persons with
                                                                                 disabilities is available for Dominica, a 2021 World Bank
While poverty rates have slowly decreased since the early
                                                                                 report states that children and youths with disabilities in Latin
2000s it is estimated that currently 29 percent of the
                                                                                 America and the Caribbean have experienced chronic barriers
population live below the poverty line. There are very few
                                                                                 to accessing education.10
wealthy Dominicans and income disparity is not great. Poverty
is greatest in the remote rural districts, particularly in the north.
While no official numbers on the poverty and vulnerability
of persons with disabilities are available in Dominica, it is                    V.  Skills, work, and labor outcomes 
known that persons with disabilities in Latin America and the                    Unemployment in Dominica is difficult to determine as the
Caribbean are more likely to live in households that are poor,                   collection of employment data has been inconsistent. It is clear,
and are overrepresented among the vulnerable. In LAC, about                      however, that both un- and under-employment are relatively
1 in 5 people living in extreme poverty has a disability, and                    high, with the highest levels among youth and in rural areas.
70 percent of households with persons with disabilities are                      The government supports the development of small businesses
vulnerable to falling into poverty.7                                             to improve employment, and under the obligations of the UN
                                                                                 CRPD, persons with disabilities should be included, but no
                                                                                 evidence for such inclusion has been found. Inactivity, rather
IV.  Education                                                                   than employment rates, explains the exclusion of persons
                                                                                 with disabilities from the labor market in Latin America and
The Education Act 1997 entrenches 12 years of free education
                                                                                 the Caribbean. When persons with disabilities seek work,
starting at the age of 5. It also provides for individual education
                                                                                 they tend to acquire low-skilled positions, especially in urban
plans for children with special needs. However, structured
                                                                                 areas. The economic impact of having a household member
‘Special Education Programs’ for children with severe learning


7
 	 García Mora, María Elena, Steven Schwartz Orellana and Germán Freire. 2021. Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to
     Sustainable Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.
8
  	 UNESCO (2007). International Bureau of Education. Available at: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/resources?search_api_views_
     fulltext=%22Inclusive%20Education%20Reports%20kingston%2007%20dominica%20inclusion%2007http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_
     upload/Inclusive_Education/Reports/kingston_07/dominica_inclusion_07.pdf
9
 	 Government Information Center. Ministry of Education to Implement Special Education Programmes. Available at: https://news.gov.dm/news/244-
     special-education-programmes-in-schools-to-make-students-with-learning-difficulties-more-independent
10
   	 García Mora, María Elena, Steven Schwartz Orellana and Germán Freire. 2021. Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to
     Sustainable Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.


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         Latin America and the     The situation in Dominica
         Caribbean




    with disabilities is also evident in high unemployment rates for          from sectors within the Public Service and the Private Sector.
    heads of households.11                                                    The National Emergency Executive Committee manages the
                                                                              National Disaster Plan and prepares legislation for disaster
                                                                              management. The Office of Disaster Management under
    VI.  Voice and Agency                                                     NEPO includes sub-committees and task forces to manage
                                                                              specific clauses within the national DRM plan pertaining to
    Excluded groups lack voice and agency because they are denied
                                                                              health, transport, communications, etc. Local and community
    platforms to speak, and participate in making decisions.
                                                                              level planning and management is carried out by District
    In Dominica, the legal framework contains restrictions, or
                                                                              disaster committees and community disaster management
    excludes persons with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities
                                                                              committees led by local village councils. While there is no
    from voting or standing for office.
                                                                              reference to disability inclusion in policy documents, there is
    Legal capacity is restricted on declaration of an individual              collaboration with the Dominica Association of Persons with
    as having “unsound mind” and this also restricts a person                 Disabilities (DAPD) at a DRR planning level.
    from holding office. More specifically, restrictions based
                                                                              Legislation and policies for disaster management and climate
    on unsoundness of mind limit the ability of persons with
                                                                              adaptation are listed below:
    psychosocial disabilities to stand for office. Further, a person
    may not be elected as a representative if he/she cannot speak             ●	   	 Emergency Powers (Disaster) Bill 1991
    and read the English language, which could limit the right of             ●	   	 Emergency Planning and Disaster Management Bill 2006
    Deaf persons who use sign language to run for office, and also            ●	   	 National Climate Change Adaptation Policy, adopted by
    individuals with disabilities who are not proficient readers.                    the Cabinet in 2002
    Persons considered to be of unsound mind may be prevented                 ●	   	 Comprehensive Disaster Management Bill 2014 - includes:
    from holding office. (Section N° 35, Constitution.)                              ¢	 Comprehensive Disaster Management Act 2014
                                                                                     ¢	 Comprehensive Disaster Management Regulations of
                                                                                          2014
    VII.  Disaster Risk Management                                                   ¢	 Disaster Relief and Assistance Regulations of 2014
                                                                                     ¢	 Comprehensive Disaster Management (Volunteers)
    There have been two major reviews and assessments of
    Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems in                                  Regulations     2014,    Comprehensive     Disaster
    Dominica. The 2014 Disaster Risk Reduction Country Profile                            Management (Evacuation) Regulations 2014
                                                                                     ¢	 Early Warning Systems Regulations 2014 (CDEMA
    Dominica – supported by ECHO and UNISDR,12 and the 2018
    Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems Gaps Report for the                                Articles 2009)
    Commonwealth of Dominica led by Dominica Emergency                        ●	   	 National Policy on Disaster Management
    Management Office (DEMO) with support from UNDP, CDEMA,                   ●	   	 National Strategy on Disaster Management
    IFRC and ECHO. Both reports mention social inclusion and that             ●	   	 Damage Assessment Policy
    disability is generally poorly acknowledged or represented.               ●	   	 Emergency Housing Policy
    Dominica appears to have a well-structured Disaster Risk                  ●	   	 Emergency Shelter Policy
    Management framework with multiple national, sectoral and                 ●	   	 Relief Supplies Policy
    community emergency preparedness and response plans.                       In terms of warning communications, there is a range of
    These plans are for the most part developed in a participatory            public and private networks with designated responsibilities
    manner and underpinned by draft legislation, which has yet to             to communicate warnings and emergency management
    be enacted.                                                               information. These include landlines, cell services, internet,
    While the ultimate authority for DRM lies with the Prime                  cable, broadcast radio stations, amateur radio, satellite phones
    Minister, coordination is managed by the National Emergency               and the Government Information Service (GIS). This promotes
    Planning Organization (NEPO) through overarching                          accessibility of information for persons with disabilities.
    committees, teams and task forces with interconnected                     A key finding of the 2018 Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems
    responsibilities and activities related to disasters and                  Gaps Report for the Commonwealth of Dominica is that early
    emergencies. These structures are made up of representatives              warnings do not account for different risks to sub populations,


     	Ibid.
    11

     	 “Commonwealth of Dominica Disaster Risk Reduction Country Profile”, September 2014, Office for Disaster Management (ODM) Dominica. http://
    12

       dipecholac.net/docs/files/786-cd-dominica-web.pdf


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                                                                                                                                 Disability Inclusion in
                                                                                     The situation in Dominica                   Latin America and the
                                                                                                                                 Caribbean




including groups with vulnerabilities and those with language,                  2015–2030, which recognizes persons with disabilities and
literacy and other physical and psychological impairments.                      their representatives as essential stakeholders in Disaster Risk
Hence linear/regular strategies for a diverse population may not                Reduction (DRR) and acknowledges the importance of disability
be effective, and target those most at risk. It is recommended                  inclusive disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and
to develop guides for communities that are specific to special                  the availability of accessible technology and communications.
and vulnerable persons/groups (e.g., children, women, persons                   The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
with disabilities/illnesses, and the elderly).                                  2017 Data Readiness Review, which reviews data for indicators
                                                                                to measure the global targets of the Sendai Framework, and
The Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) has been implemented as
                                                                                identify gaps, notes that a range of data is disaggregated
a standard and is available to the Meteorological Service and
                                                                                by disability. This includes the number of injuries, deaths and
Government ICT. This enables automated warnings via multiple
                                                                                missing persons, the number of dwellings that were damaged
media simultaneously but relies on internet connectivity.
                                                                                or destroyed, and the number of people whose livelihoods were
Despite the availability of multi-channel and multi-
                                                                                disrupted or destroyed, that are attributed to disasters.
platform dissemination networks, physical communications
infrastructure is often unreliable.                                             In 1999, at the regional level, Dominica signed but didn’t
                                                                                ratify the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of
The DAPD is assisting persons with disabilities to prepare
                                                                                All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities
for hazards and emergencies and to receive and respond to
                                                                                (CIADDIS),13 which is the first regional legal framework to
warnings messages. Additionally, the network of local village
                                                                                protect the rights of persons with disabilities.14 Dominica has
councils, disaster committees and community emergency
                                                                                been a member of CARICOM since 1974. In 1997, Heads of
response teams extend warnings to persons with disabilities
                                                                                Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) signed
and other vulnerable groups.
                                                                                and agreed to the terms of the Charter of Civil Society which
                                                                                addresses the rights of persons with disabilities in its Article
                                                                                N° 14: “Every disabled person has, in particular, the right a) not
VIII.  Legal and Policy Framework                                               to be discriminated against on the basis of his or her disability;
Dominica guarantees the inclusion and full exercise of the                      b) to equal opportunities in all fields of endeavor and to be
rights of persons with disabilities through the following                       allowed to develop his or her full potential; and c) to respect
international legal instruments: 1) Dominica ratified the UN                    for his or her human dignity so as to enjoy a life as normal and
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)                    full as possible.” Furthermore, as part of CARICOM, Dominica
and acceded to the Optional Protocol in October 2012. 2)                        participated in the First Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on
Dominica is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable                        Disability at which the Kingston Accord (2004) was developed.
Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)                        The Accord promotes CARICOM’s model on disability policy and
of 2015, which pledge to ensure “no one will be left behind” and                legislation, encourages best practices for services for persons
to “endeavor to reach the furthest behind first”, which are the                 with disabilities in the Caribbean, and affirms that every
most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Disability is referenced                     Caribbean citizen has the same human, civil, social, political,
in the SDGs and specifically in parts related to education,                     economic, and cultural rights. In addition, Dominica signed the
growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human                       Declaration of Pétion Ville (2015) with CARICOM’s 15 states to
settlements, and data collection and monitoring of the SDGs.                    reiterate their commitments to implement the CRPD.
3) Dominica signed the Paris Agreement (2015) in 2016, which
                                                                                With respect to national regulation, Dominica does not have
was ratified and entered into force later the same year, and
                                                                                a general law on disabilities. Dominica’s Constitution refers
builds on the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate
                                                                                to discrimination in article 13, indicating that no law shall
Change (UNFCCC) and acknowledges that all countries, in
                                                                                make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or
their efforts to mitigate the risks of climate change, should
                                                                                its effect but does not expressly refer to discrimination for
respect their obligations on human rights, including “the rights
                                                                                reasons of disability. In addition, the country’s Education Act
of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children,
                                                                                (no. 11 of 1997) refers to Special Education (sections 81–84)
persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations.”
                                                                                but does not mention inclusive education. Special education
4) Dominica has committed to The Sendai Framework for DRR

13
   	 “Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities,” Pub. L. No. A-65 (1999), http://www.
     oas.org/juridico/english/sigs/a-65.html.
14
  	 While both the CRPD and the CIADDIS are international instruments designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, they differ in their
     respective understandings of disability. The CIADDIS merges the medical model of disability with some elements of the social model of disability.


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         Disability Inclusion in
         Latin America and the     The situation in Dominica
         Caribbean




    programs are provided to students of compulsory school age                  Resilience Project (P166328), which identifies beneficiaries
    who for intellectual, communicative, behavioral, physical or                with disabilities and includes disability aspects in design and
    multiple difficulties need special education. A special education           implementation. The Project Implementing Unit (PIU) held
    program may take the form of an individual education                        discussions with Agriculture Team Leaders and the Chief
    plan (section 81.3). The Act foresees the establishment of a                Fisheries Officer on the Bank`s Good Practice Note on Non
    Council on Special Education (section 84). Furthermore, the                 Discrimination and Disability, and identified farmers and
    Physical Planning Act of 2002 includes a building code that                 fishers with disability (physical) and discussed how to assist
    provides for accessibility for persons with disabilities: Section           them. Presently, the farmer disability list is being developed
    5 – Public Health and Safety Sub section 502: Provisions for                with two farmers (one male and one female), and two fishers
    physically handicapped persons must be made in accordance                   have been identified with mobility issues. Disability has been
    with Appendix F of this Code. These provisions are extensive,               included in all Environmental and Social Management Plans
    prescriptive and in line with US and international standards.               (ESMPs). The Project also provides transport for farmers who
    Also, the Guide to Dominica’s Housing Standards was released                can’t attend consultation meetings.
    in May 2018 following Hurricane Maria which damaged or
                                                                                The World Bank Regional Partnership Strategy for the
    destroyed 90 percent of the national housing stock. The
                                                                                Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)15 for the
    Building Code and Building Guidelines were reviewed to improve
                                                                                period FY15–19 only mentions disability from a medical point
    standards for structural integrity and safe refuge. The Code
                                                                                of view. The report mentions that OECS16 countries are facing
    was updated and amendments to the Planning Act proposed.
                                                                                a health crisis, with rising rates of heart disease, diabetes,
    The Guide to Dominica’s Housing Standards is a first response
                                                                                obesity, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs
    to the need for climate resilient residential housing. Finally,
                                                                                disproportionately affect poor families, and raise the risk of
    there is no central registry of persons with disabilities.
                                                                                disability, premature death and poverty as people pay for
                                                                                medical treatment out of their own pockets.

    IX.  World Bank Engagements on
    disability inclusion in Dominica
    An important World Bank project on disability inclusion
    is the Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate




    15
      	 It is a strategic document that outlines the World Bank Group’s engagement with OECS. It also determines how these countries can end poverty and
        boost shared prosperity, and the challenges that stand in the way (diagnosis).
    16
      	 The latest OECS has a Regional Partnership Framework that covers FY22–25. This covers all the OECS countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica,
        Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.


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                                                                                                                             Disability Inclusion in
                                                                                       The situation in Dominica             Latin America and the
                                                                                                                             Caribbean




                                                                    X.  ANNEXES

Annex 1. Relevant Figures                                                         the legal and institutional framework influences the social
                                                                                  inclusion of persons with disabilities and their meaningful
The regional report does not contain relevant figures for
                                                                                  participation in society. In analyzing current national legal
Dominica.
                                                                                  frameworks on disability inclusion, the principal benchmarks
                                                                                  utilized in the study are (a) the universally ratified Convention
Annex 2. Legal framework analysis                                                 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; (b) the World Bank’s
                                                                                  Ten Commitments to Disability-Inclusive Development; and
A legal and institutional analysis of 30 countries across Latin
                                                                                  (c) the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, and
America and the Caribbean region17 examined the strengths
                                                                                  the accompanying Good Practice Note on Disability. There is
and weaknesses of existing national frameworks with respect
                                                                                  insufficient information for an in-depth analysis of the legal
to the World Bank’s commitments on disability inclusion. The
                                                                                  and institutional framework, but existing protections are
principal purpose of the data is to support research on how
                                                                                  described in section VIII above and in the Table below.

                                                                                                                            Dominica (DM)

     1. Principle of non-discrimination. Does the legal framework…?

     1.1 	 Recognize the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of disability?                                   Insufficient information

     1.2 	 Recognize the duty to provide reasonable accommodation as an element of non-discrimination?                 Insufficient information

     1.3 	 Apply to private enterprises/companies?                                                                     Insufficient information

     1.4 	 Include physical, mental, intellectual and sensory impairments?                                             Insufficient information

     1.5 	 Devote specific protection to women/girls with disabilities?                                                Insufficient information

     1.6 	 Devote specific protection to children with disabilities?                                                   Insufficient information

     1.7 	 Devote specific protection to older persons with disabilities?                                              Insufficient information

     1.8 	 Devote specific protection to indigenous persons with disabilities?                                         Insufficient information

     1.9 	 Cover direct and indirect discrimination?                                                                   Insufficient information

     1.10	 Provide for measures to prevent, eliminate or compensate any form of discrimination on the basis            Insufficient information
           of disability?

     Does the Constitution…?

     1.11 	 Expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability?                                              Insufficient information

     1.12 	Include protections for persons with disabilities among provisions on fundamental rights?                   Insufficient information

     1.13 	Reflect a social model orientation of disability?                                                           Insufficient information

     2. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society. Does the legal framework…?

     2.1 	 Recognize the effective participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis?            Insufficient information

     2.2 	 Provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in the civil, political,           Insufficient information
           economic, social and cultural spheres?

     2.3 	 Recognize the right of persons with disabilities to be actively involved in decision-making processes       Insufficient information
           concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities?

     2.4 	 Recognize the equal capacity before the law of persons with disabilities?                                   Insufficient information

     2.5 	 Promote training of public servants on the rights of persons with disabilities?                             Insufficient information



 	 García Mora, María Elena, Steven Schwartz Orellana and Germán Freire. 2021. Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to
17

   Sustainable Development. Washington, DC: World Bank.


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    Latin America and the      The situation in Dominica
    Caribbean




                                                                                                                      Dominica (DM)

    3. Accessibility. Does the legal framework…?

    3.1 	 Recognize the principle of universal access?                                                            Insufficient information

    3.2 	 Recognize access to communication?                                                                      Insufficient information

    3.3 	 Is sign language recognized as an official national language or otherwise given official recognition?   Insufficient information

    3.4 Access to physical environment and transport

        3.4.1	 Mandate universal access for public buildings (private/government offices) including schools,      Insufficient information
               housing, medical facilities and workplaces; and accessibility standards for public buildings?

        3.4.2 	Mandate universal access to transport infrastructure and services?                                 Insufficient information

              Provide for subsidized transport?
        3.4.3 	                                                                                                   Insufficient information

        3.4.4 	Mandate reasonable accommodation to access public services?                                        Insufficient information

    3.5 Access to Information

        3.5.1 	Mandate public information for persons with disabilities in accessible formats and                 Insufficient information
              technologies without additional cost? (including Braille, tactile communication, audio,
              plain-language, human-reader, augmentative modes, etc.)
        3.5.2 	Allow for alternative modes of communication and other accessible means for official               Insufficient information
               interactions (i.e. sign languages, Braille, etc.)?

        3.5.3 	Mandate accessibility of information and technology including electronic services?                 Insufficient information

              Provide accessibility standards for audio-visual media?
        3.5.4 	                                                                                                   Insufficient information

    1. Education. Does the legal framework…?

    1.1 	 Expressly recognize the principle of an inclusive education system and articulate the aims of           Insufficient information
          inclusive education?

    1.2 	 Prohibit the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the general education system?                  Insufficient information

    1.3 	 Cover all levels of education for persons with disabilities?                                            Insufficient information

    1.4 	 Ensure access of persons with disabilities to the general education system?                             Insufficient information

    1.5 	 Include reasonable accommodation based on individual student’s requirements?                            Insufficient information

    1.6 	 Plan for persons with disabilities to receive support including individualized support within the       Insufficient information
          general education system?

    2. Health. Does the legal framework…?

    2.1 	 Provide persons with disabilities with access to health services of the same quality and standard of    Insufficient information
          free or affordable health care as provided to other persons?

    2.2 	 Provide access to reproductive health to persons with disabilities?                                     Insufficient information

    2.3 	 Provide health services for persons with disabilities specifically to minimize and prevent secondary    Insufficient information
          disabilities?

    2.4 	 Mandate the creation of funds/public programs for rehabilitation services?                              Insufficient information

    2.5 	 Recognize free and informed consent of persons with disabilities and establish ethical standards        Insufficient information
          for the provision of public and private health care?

    3. Work and Employment. Does the legal framework…?

    3.1 	 Prohibit discrimination in the workplace, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and               Insufficient information
          employment, and provide safe and healthy working conditions?

    3.2 	 Mandate the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector?                               Insufficient information

    3.3 	 Establish a quota system for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector?          Insufficient information



8
                                                                                                                  Disability Inclusion in
                                                                                The situation in Dominica         Latin America and the
                                                                                                                  Caribbean




                                                                                                                 Dominica (DM)

3.4 	 Promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the private sector through appropriate          Insufficient information
      policies and measures which may include affirmative action programs, incentives and other
      measures?

3.5 	 Mandate reasonable accommodation in the workplace?                                                     Insufficient information

4. Participation in political and public life. Does the legal framework…?

4.1 	 Contain restrictions or exclusions on the right to vote for persons with disabilities, such as an                Yes
      exclusion based on legal capacity?

4.2 	 Persons with disabilities might be denied the right to stand for office on account of discriminatory             Yes
      qualification criteria.

4.3 	 Guarantee equal and effective access to voting procedures, facilities and materials in order for                 No
      persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote, including reasonable accommodations and
      other measures for accessibility?

4.4 	 Include representation of persons with disabilities in the legislature by way of quota or other                  No
      positive measures?

4.5 	 Expressly mandate assisted voting for persons with disabilities, including selection of an assistant             Yes
      of their own choosing?

4.6 	 Provide for voting for persons who are in long-term institutions or home-bound?                                  No

4.7 	 Include accessibility standards for the internet?                                                                No

4.8 	 Accessibility standards for polling stations?                                                                    No

5. Social Protection. Does the legal framework…?

5.1 	 Recognize disability-related expenses in social protection programs?                                   Insufficient information

5.2 	 Recognize the right of persons with disabilities to access public housing programs?                    Insufficient information

5.3 	 Prohibit discrimination in access to and supply of goods and services?                                 Insufficient information

6. Protection in situation of risk. Does the legal framework…?

6.1 	 Ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk/emergency          Insufficient information
      including armed conflict, public health emergencies, humanitarian emergencies and natural
      disaster?

1. National Monitoring

1.1 	 Has the State established focal points within Government to implement the Convention?                  Insufficient information

1.2 	 Has the State coordinated within Government to facilitate related actions in different sectors and     Insufficient information
      at different levels?

2. Establish an independent monitoring body

2.1 	 Has the State established a framework with independent mechanisms to promote, protect and              Insufficient information
      monitor implementation of the Convention?

2.2 	 Does the designated framework meet the requirements of independence?                                   Insufficient information

3. Participation in monitoring

3.1 	 Has the State taken measures to involve civil society?                                                 Insufficient information

3.2 	 Has the State taken measures to involve persons with disabilities?                                     Insufficient information

3.3 	 Has the State taken measures to include gender perspectives?                                           Insufficient information

3.4 	 Has the State taken measures to allow those with disabilities to participate in public matters?        Insufficient information

3.5 	 Has the state taken measures for participation in the monitoring process and the preparation of        Insufficient information
      the State report?




                                                                                                                                            9
          Disability Inclusion in
          Latin America and the     The situation in Dominica
          Caribbean




     Annex 3. Stakeholder mapping18                                                             ¢	   Disaster preparedness guide for persons with
                                                                                                     disabilities in Dominica – launched on August 27, 2020 
     Dominica has a range of government bodies and disability
                                                                                                ¢	 Disaster planning info sheet 
     support organisations representing persons with a variety of
                                                                                                ¢	 Earthquake preparedness for persons with disabilities 
     physical and psychosocial disabilities.
                                                                                                ¢	 Dominica hazard map – composite 

     ●	   	 Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, Youth                                ¢	 Dominica Volcanic Centres  

            at Risk, Gender Affairs, Seniors Security and Dominicans                   ●	   	   Dominica Dementia Foundation. A youth led organization
            with Disability is the Ministry responsible for persons with                        to raise awareness on dementia, provide emotional
            disabilities in the country and manages the Yes, We Care                            support to families and their caregivers, and facilitate
            Program.                                                                            dementia research in Dominica.
     ●	   	 Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD).                  ●	   	   Dominica Council on Aging Inc. The Council coordinates
            Established in 1983 to create opportunities and promote                             the efforts of groups, homes and individuals concerned
            ‘effective measures whereby persons with disabilities                               with the care and welfare of older persons.
            can actively and equally participate in their Country’s                    ●	   	   The Caribbean Development Bank: The Caribbean
            socio-economic       development through          education,                        Development Bank has launched the Disability
            training, rehabilitation, and employment’. DAPD is now an                           Assessment Project (2018) to develop evidence-based
            incorporated organisation committed to improving the                                projects and services for disability mainstreaming in the
            status of persons with disabilities and working to promote                          region. The project seeks to provide robust disability data
            and protect their fundamental rights and freedoms.                                  in social, economic, and political domains; examine the
                                                                                                differential impacts of disability and their intersection
             In 2020 it launched its 2020/24 Strategic, Social and                              with other vulnerabilities associated with sex, age cohort
             Personal Development Programme to improve and enhance                              (children, youth, elderly and working age), ethnicity, and
             the social, cultural, political, and economic lives of persons                     race (as relevant); identify constraints and enablers to
             with disabilities through their integration in communities                         equal participation of persons with disabilities compared
             and society. This will be achieved by improving accessibility                      with persons without disabilities in growth sectors of the
             to communications in collaboration with the International                          formal and informal economy; and examine vulnerabilities
             Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the National                                    to natural disasters, economic shocks and climate change.
             Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC).                          ●	   	   Since 2014 the Smart Hospitals Program, promoted
                                                                                                and supported by PAHO/WHO and a range of donors
             It has now received a range of devices, including iPads,                           supported a number of hospitals in Saint Lucia to become
             printers, laptops, and computers for its Information                               more resilient in disasters, environmentally sustainable,
             and Communication Technology programme. With this                                  and accessible for persons with disabilities. Adaptations
             equipment, DAPD will be better able to build capacity in                           include ramps, lifts, guardrails and accessible toilets.
             the community, to communicate and engage in the digital                            The program has been extended to a dozen hospitals in
             economy, and to offer computer and internet training to                            Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
             its members. DAPD has a strong working relationship
             with EM and has developed emergency and disaster
                                                                                       Annex 4. Glossary - Empower with words
             management materials accessible through its Facebook
             page. It provides links to web content, video clips through               ●	   	 Language used on disability varies across countries and
             YouTube and PDF Information sheets. Information includes                         cultures. In a country context, it is useful to ask persons
             current seasonal briefings from the Weather Service and                          with disabilities which words and terms they prefer. It is
             disaster management and preparedness educational                                 also important to find out whether an individual is willing
             materials. These resources are targeted at people living                         to disclose their disability. When describing an individual,
             with disabilities and their carers but are also useful for                       do not reference his or her disability unless it is clearly
             disaster and emergency management planners at all                                pertinent to the issue or story.
             levels. They include: 

      	 This is a living document that is constantly being updated. Therefore, the list of OPDs may change from time to time. Following appropriate
     18

        accessibility features (sign interpretation, closed caption) is key to ensure that persons with disabilities can efficiently and openly participate in
        meetings and consultations.




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                                                                                                                  Disability Inclusion in
                                                                            The situation in Dominica             Latin America and the
                                                                                                                  Caribbean




●	   	 It is recommended to use ‘person-first language’, which       ●	   	 The use of terms such as “handicapped”, “a person suffering
       puts the person before his or her impairment (a person               from…”, “mentally retarded”, “able-bodied/normal”, “the
       who uses a wheelchair, a person with visual impairment)              disabled”, “the blind”, “paraplegic”, “wheelchair-bound” are
       which is in line with the United Nations’ Convention on the          not recommended. Disability is not an illness and hence it
       Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).                       is important to refrain from using terms such as healthy
                                                                            versus sick.


The following brief glossary provides guidelines to portray individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way with
language that is neutral:
●	 	 Person(s) with disabilities

●	 	 Person who is blind/ or person with visual disabilities

●	 	 Person who is deaf/ person who is deaf or hard of hearing/ person with hearing disabilities: Many people in the Deaf community

     prefer the use of a lowercase “d” to refer to audiological status and the use of a capital “D” when referring to the culture and
     community of Deaf people.
●	 	 Person who is deaf/blind

●	 	 Person with mobility/physical disabilities

●	 	 Person using a wheelchair/a wheelchair user

●	 	 Person with intellectual/developmental disabilities

●	 	 Person with albinism

●	 	 Person with short stature or little person

●	 	 Person with psychosocial disabilities

●	 	 Person with Down syndrome

●	 	 Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)

●	 	 Assistive devices (white cane, hearing aid, wheelchair, tricycle).




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