Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean Photo: Heiner Heine/Alamy Stock Photo The Situation in OPPORTUNITIES Guyana ● Continue supporting inclusive education through the Ministry of Education. ● To strengthen disaggregated data collection and targeted awareness March 20231 campaigns for the participation of persons with disabilities. ● Support the Government of Guyana to establish platforms and mechanisms to include persons with disabilities at all levels of consultation and planning. This profile provides an overview of the legal and 1 ● Support the government of Guyana to participate in international and social context affecting persons with disabilities with regional platforms for disability-inclusive disaster risk management the objective to support the Government and the to enhance the national response to climate change. World Bank’s commitments on Disability Inclusion adopted at the Global Disability Summit in 2018, as well as the institution’s Environmental and Social Framework. The profile is based on a literature review of publicly official available documents but especially I.  Objective based on the World Bank Regional Report ‘Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Path to The objective of this note is to identify national entry points for the inclusion of Sustainable Development’. This is a World Bank product persons with disabilities in Guyana. This note was prepared to accompany the co-financed by the Canada Caribbean Resilience Facility. The brief was prepared by a World Bank team operationalization of the regional report ‘Disability Inclusion in Latin America led by María Elena García Mora and Naraya Carrasco and the Caribbean : A Path to Sustainable Development.’2 It will guide the Gov- that included Camilo Vargas Sosa, Melissa Zumaeta, Cristina Leria, Miguel Garza and Linda Anderson-Berry. ernment and the World Bank to strengthen disability-inclusion at the country It includes significant inputs from Sanjay Agarwal, level. It is not an exhaustive analysis on disability-inclusion in the country. Melike Egilmezler, María Inés Garcia Calderón (edit) and Iván García Estébanez (design). For additional Although the regional report establishes that the inclusion of persons with inquiries on disability inclusion in LAC, task teams, disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean has progressed in the last and/or country teams, through the project/country Social Development Specialists, should reach out to the two decades, much remains to be done to achieve their social and economic regional focal point on disability inclusion in LCR, Maria Elena Garcia Mora (mgarciamora@worldbank.org). For inquiries on disability inclusion globally, please contact 2 García Mora, María Elena, Steven Schwartz Orellana and Germán Freire. 2021. Disability 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 Guyana Caribbean inclusion. In general, persons with disabilities in Latin America TABLE 1. Indicators between Persons with and the Caribbean are more likely to be poor and vulnerable, Disabilities vs. Persons without Disabilities have fewer years of education, have poor labor market indicators, and are more frequent victims of discrimination, Persons Persons with without among many other gaps. disabilities disabilities (%) (%) Percentage of children attending 59 81 II.  Persons with Disabilities at a Glance school (3–18 years old) (ECLAC 2018) It is estimated that around 15 percent of the global Percentage of persons aged 18–59 53 76 who have completed secondary population—one billion people—are persons with disabilities.3 education (ECLAC 2018) Approximately 750,000 of them live in the Anglophone Percentage of persons aged 15–59 31 57 Caribbean, (which includes Guyana), where they make up that are economically active (ECLAC approximately 15 percent of the population.4 2018) The Guyana National Population and Housing Census was Employment rate n/a n/a conducted in 2012. Disability was included in the questionnaire Access to internet (ECLAC 2018) n/a 25 and the type of disability was categorised based on function. Household access to cellphones n/a n/a However, response options for the cause and resulting limitations of disability differed from those recommended by the Washington Group. The official report estimated that around 3 percent of the population live with a limiting  TABLE 2. Disability Prevalence in Guyana disability, but the census does not include any tabulated Functional disability  Male / 1000  Female / 1000  disability data or discussion. The report noted that disability demographic data are likely to be unreliable, and to significantly Seeing  10  13  underestimate the prevalence of disability.5 This may be due Hearing  4  4  to the respondents’ understanding of the questions, and their Communication  4  3  reluctance to identify and disclose disability details due to stigma and shame. Disaggregated data are available on the Remembering or concentrating  5  5  official government website. A 2018 publication The Education Self-care  -    of Individuals with Disabilities in Guyana: An Overview6 noted Walking  10  10  that about 48,519 people in Guyana—approximately 6.4 Upper body   5  5  percent of the population—live with some form of disability. Source: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) based on the National Population and Housing Census and (ECLAC) has provided some disability data from the Guyana United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015) World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision    2012 Census. Table 2 shows disability prevalence rate/1000 in the population by gender. It indicates a higher rate among   females with visual disabilities and an otherwise generally even In 2019, the Guyana Government Department of Public distribution.  Information (DPI) commissioned a disability survey and published disability statistics—presumably derived from the 2012 census and analysed in four regions across the country.7 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 the one 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 Guyana Population and Housing Census 2012. Preliminary Report. https://statisticsguyana.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2012_Preliminary_ Report.pdf 6 Cheong KA, Kellems RO, Andersen MM, Steed K (2018). The Education of Individuals With Disabilities in Guyana: An Overview. Intervention in School and Clinic. 2019;54(4):246-250. doi:10.1177/1053451218782435 7 Guyana’s Department of Public Information. June 2019. More than 11,000 persons living with Disability in Guyana. https://dpi.gov.gy/more-than- 11000-persons-living-with-disability-in-guyana/  2 Disability Inclusion in The situation in Guyana Latin America and the Caribbean Table 3 shows the findings of this survey and indicates the These findings have been projected to estimate the number number of persons with disabilities in each of four regions, and of persons with disabilities in the country as a whole at the proportion of this population in each disability category. approximately 11,000.   TABLE 3. Disability by function as a percentage of the total population in four Regions  Region 3  Region 10  Region 2  (Essequibo Islands— Region 5  (Upper Demerara Category  (Pomeroon—Supenaam) West Demerara) (Mahaica Berbice) Berbice)   1,249 cases  3,896 cases  1,588 cases  1,718 cases  Physical / mobility disability  40.1%  33.7%  38.7%  31.5%  Hearing / speech disability  20.6%  16.9%  20.2%  16.4%  Learning / cognitive disability  7%  11.7%  8.6%  14.3%  Visual / seeing disability  23.1%  29.2%  18.6%  28.5%  Mental health  7.4%  5.4%  10.5%  6.9%  Medical, other type of disability   1.8%  3.2%  3.3%  2.4%  Source: 2019 National Commission on Disability Survey The data show that the greatest prevalence is in physical/ people living in extreme poverty has a disability, and nearly mobility disability followed by visual disability. Data are 70 percent of households with persons with disabilities are generally consistent across regions, with the exception of vulnerable to falling into poverty.9 Region 5 in which the proportion of persons with hearing impairment was marginally greater. Psychosocial disability is considered; however, there is no definition of what constitutes IV.  Education psychosocial disability. The numbers are small but significant.   The Persons with Disabilities Act mandates that (among other Population growth in Guyana is slowing, and at the same time, things) individuals with disabilities may not be excluded from as people live longer, the proportion of elderly people in the free access to the country’s compulsory general education, population is increasing. Disability increases with age, and it is and that training programs must be available for teachers with expected that in the future there will be an increase in both the students who have disabilities. Guyana currently has 11 special number and proportion of persons with disabilities across the schools. However, these are unevenly distributed across the total population. Currently, 7 percent of the population is over country, with six in the Georgetown area. Some special schools 65 years old, and it is estimated that by 2050, 14.9 percent will only serve specific populations, and none have teachers be above that age.8 trained in special education. Despite improvements in special education, students with disabilities still face higher rates of poverty, lack of access to schools, and teachers who are not III.  Poverty and Vulnerability  trained to best meet their needs. Further progress towards an inclusive education system is needed. While no official figures on the poverty and vulnerability of persons with disabilities are available, it is known that Children and youths with disabilities in Latin America and the persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean Caribbean have experienced significant barriers to accessing are more likely to live in households that are poor, and are education.10 In Guyana, persons with disabilities aged between overrepresented among the vulnerable. In LAC, about 1 in 5 3 and 18 are less likely to attend school than their peers 8 Figure Demographic pyramids for Guyana, projections 2020 and 2050. Source: https://www.populationpyramid.net/guyana/2050/ based on Census data 9 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. 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. 3 Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the The situation in Guyana Caribbean without disabilities, and are, therefore, less likely to graduate However, Guyana expressly mandates assisted voting for from secondary school. While 81 percent of 3–18 year olds persons with disabilities, including selection of an assistant attend school, this figure drops to 59 percent for school-goers of their own choosing. The Representation of the People Act with disabilities; 76 percent of 18–59 year olds graduate of 1975, Section Nº 73, subsection 1 states: “The presiding from secondary school while only 53 percent of those with officer, on the application of any voter who is incapacitated by disabilities graduate.11 blindness or any other physical cause from voting in the manner prescribed by section 72 and who takes an oath in Form 21, [may] mark the ballot paper of such elector in his presence V.  Skills, work and labor outcomes  and in the manner directed by him.” But further, Section Nº 73 provides in subsection Nº 2 that: “The presiding officer may at The Disability Act addresses the right of persons with disabilities the request of any elector who is incapacitated in the manner to work without discrimination. It is designedto ensure prescribed in subsection (1) and who has taken the oath in Form employers provide equal opportunities regardless of physical 22 and is accompanied by a friend, permit such friend, if he disability, and offer equal terms and conditions. However, these is an elector entitled to vote at the polling place, immediately provisions are not actively supported or enforced and persons after he has voted on his own behalf and notwithstanding that with disabilities continue to face exclusion, discrimination, and his finger has been immersed in electoral ink, to accompany barriers to meaningful employment. the elector into the voting compartment and mark his ballot Inactivity, rather than employment rates, explains the exclusion for him: provided that no person may mark the ballot paper of of persons with disabilities from the labor market in Latin more than one elector as his friend.” America and the Caribbean. When persons with disabilities seek employment, they tend to find work in low-skilled positions, especially in urban areas. The economic impact of VII.  Disaster Risk Management having a household member with disabilities is also evident in Legislation supporting Disaster Risk Management is currently high unemployment rates of heads of households.12 The ECLAC in draft form. A version for consultation was released in 2019. (2018) report estimates that the prevalence of inactivity of The draft legislation makes no specific provision for persons persons (15–59) is 31 percent among those with disability with disabilities and other vulnerable sectors of society.  compared to 57 percent among those without disability. Some of Guyana’s institutions are: 1 ) The Office of the Prime Minister responsible for the National Emergency Operations VI.  Voice and Agency Centre Civil Defence Commission (CDC).13 2) Under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Hydromet Department’s job is to observe, Excluded groups lack voice and agency because they are denied archive and understand Guyana’s weather and climate. It platforms to speak, and participate in making decisions. In provides meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic Guyana, the legal framework contains restrictions, or excludes services for Guyana’s national needs and international persons with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities from obligations. 3) The Department of Environment has an Office voting or standing for office. of Climate Change14, and 4) the Department of Human Services Article N° 159, paragraph 3 of the Constitution provides that and Social Protection is responsible for social inclusion in the “No person shall be qualified to be so registered who on the field. qualifying date is a person certified to be insane or otherwise Guyana has a well organised disaster management process— adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law in force in based on the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Guyana.” Additionally, article Nº 155(1) of the Constitution Agency (CDEMA) supported Comprehensive Disaster provides: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member Management (CDM) framework—and has a Civil Defence of the National Assembly who…(b) is a person certified to be Commission that has formed the National DRM Platform with insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any membership and high-level representation across all DRM law in force in Guyana.” 11 Source: ECLAC 2018 based on census 2010. 12 Ibid. 13 Web page: https://cdc.gy 14 Web page: https://climatechange.gov.gy/en/ 4 Disability Inclusion in The situation in Guyana Latin America and the Caribbean stakeholders and government sectors.15 The Secretary for the National Commission for Disability represents persons with disabilities on the Platform. Operational DRM plans directly reference persons with disabilities and other marginalised and vulnerable sectors of the population. At the community level, community-based DRM Officers consult with persons with disabilities or their representatives as part of the planning process. It is interesting to note that while this is part of the official process, participation is not always facilitated—for example, sign language interpreters are not always available and meeting rooms are not always accessible. At the community level, DRM attempts to identify each person with a disability and support their specific needs for warnings. This may include such approaches as a bell crier or door knocker to deliver the messages personally.16   Official warning messages are disseminated as weather (or other hazard) alerts and come from civil defence bodies via social media or as news information. There is no official warnings system, and CAP enabled warnings have not yet Photo: © Thomas Vieth | Dreamstime.com been considered (although training has been provided through CDEMA and the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO). Sign language interpretation with televised or web-based video warnings and information is rare. However, throughout the COVID-19 response, televised warnings and information have usually included sign language. There is no hazard-related information produced in Braille and there is no systematic use of Braille in signage in public buildings or public spaces.  Both formal and informal communication networks are relatively robust and effective. In townships and highly populated locations, the use and uptake of internet-enabled and/or economic consequences. The major floods of 2005 were devices such as smart phones and tablets, and mobile phones an exception. is relatively high, and social media is accessed extensively. In more remote areas, the opposite is true, with high dependence However, evidence from semi-structured interviews suggests on natural and environmental signs to understand weather a high level of awareness of changing regional weather patterns and determine levels of threat—“there are some patterns. “People are concerned about reliability of traditional animals that live in the river, when they come out on to the knowledge and climate change when patterns are changing— banks, people know that the river will flood and go over the particularly seasonal patterns.” This, together with the COVID banks, so they move away.”17  19 pandemic—in which the death toll and disruption to the local economy and lifestyles has been severe, will likely raise Emergency management—including warnings, preparation the priority to pass the DRM legislation and develop a national and evacuation planning—has not been a high priority in early warning system that includes persons with disabilities Guyana. In general, population do not consider the country to be and all other marginalised and vulnerable sectors.   at high risk of natural hazard impacts. Unlike other Caribbean countries, Guyana is not (currently) in the hurricane zone, and Guyana has a national climate resilience agenda that supports floods, droughts and tropical storms are deemed mostly minor inclusive adaptation to climate change. However, it seems to level and manageable, and without significant humanitarian focus on physical and economic adaptation of agricultural 15 Government of Guyana (2021). Civil Defense Commission. https://government.gy/agency/169  16 Information based on interview with Community Based DRM officer Ms Mariea Harrinarine Wednesday 27 January 2021  17 Information based on interview with Community Based DRM officer Ms Mariea Harrinarine on Wednesday, 27 January 2021. 5 Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the The situation in Guyana Caribbean and industrial sectors rather than the social dimensions and regional legal framework for the protection of the rights of impacts of climate change.  persons with disabilities.20 Guyana has been a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) since 1973. In 1997, Heads of Government of CARICOM signed the Charter of Civil Society, VIII.  Legal and Policy Framework which addresses the rights of persons with disabilities in its Article Nº 14: “Every disabled person has, in particular, the right a) not to Guyana strive for inclusion and full exercise of the rights of be discriminated against on the basis of his or her disability; b) persons with disabilities through the following legal international to equal opportunities in all fields of endeavor and to be allowed instruments: 1) Guyana signed the UN Convention on the Rights to develop his or her full potential; and c) to respect for his or her of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in April 2007 but did not ratify human dignity so as to enjoy a life as normal and full as possible.” it until 2014. The Optional Protocol has not yet been signed. In terms of The Kingston Accord (2004), as part of CARICOM, 2) Guyana is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Guyana participated in the First Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Disability, where this Accord was developed. The Accord develops of 2015, which pledges that “no one will be left behind” and to CARICOM’s model on disability policy and legislation, encourages “endeavor to reach the furthest behind first”, who are the most best practices for services for persons with disabilities in the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Disability is referenced in the Caribbean, and affirms that every Caribbean citizen has the same SDGs and specifically in parts related to education, growth and human, civil, social, political, economic, and cultural rights. Also, employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, and Guyana signed the Declaration of Pétion Ville (2015), which was data collection and monitoring of the SDGs. Commitments and signed by all 15 CARICOM States to reiterate their commitments goals are being pursued through the country’s National Economic to the CRPD. and Social Development Plan (2013–2025). 3) Guyana signed the Paris Agreement (2015) in 2016. This was ratified and entered into With respect to national regulation, Guyana’s Persons with force later the same year. These instruments build on the United Disability Act of 2010 seeks to: “promote and protect the full Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and equal enjoyment of rights; to facilitate the enforcement and acknowledge that all countries, in their efforts to mitigate of rights; to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability; the risks of climate change, should respect their obligations on provide for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with human rights, including “the rights of indigenous peoples, local disabilities; and to establish the National Commission on communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and Disabilities.” The Act sets out responsibilities to provide people in vulnerable situations.” 4) Guyana has committed to Government services. Among them are a requirement for some The Sendai Framework for DRR 2015–2030, which recognizes sign language and sub-titling in national television by 2020; persons with disabilities and their representatives as essential building codes for access to persons with disabilities; and stakeholders in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and acknowledges access to public transport. It also includes provisions against the importance of disability inclusive disaster preparedness, the concealment of persons with disabilities. In addition, The response and recovery, and the need for accessible technology Friendly Societies Act  Chapter 36:04 enables and gives and communications. The United Nations Office for Disaster legal status to (among others) organisations and benevolent Risk Reduction (UNDRR) 2017 Data Readiness Review18 which societies that represent and support persons with disabilities. assesses data for the indicators for the global targets of the Also, the Central Housing Authority publish and police building Sendai Framework, and identifies current gaps, notes that a codes and guidelines. Guyana’s national building codes are range of data are disaggregated by disability. This includes the based on The Caribbean Unified Building Code (CUBIC), which number of injuries, deaths and missing persons, the number was developed by the Council of Caribbean Engineering of dwellings, and the number of people whose livelihoods were Organisations (CCEO), because of its adoption and general disrupted or destroyed by the disasters. acceptance within the Caribbean region. The code includes requirements for building size, occupancy, fire safety within At the regional level, Guyana has not signed the Inter-American floor areas, exit requirements, and access for persons with Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination disabilities. Lastly, to update the National Registry of Persons Against Persons with Disabilities (CIADDIS),19 which is the first with Disabilities, the National Disabilities Commission (NCD) is 18 https://www.preventionweb.net/files/54718_saintvincentandthegrenadinesvct.pdf 19 “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. 20 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. 6 Disability Inclusion in The situation in Guyana Latin America and the Caribbean conducting a national disability survey at the household level Guyana Education Sector Improvement Project (GESIP) to produce a register of persons with disabilities. This activity which incorporates disability sensitivity training into teacher started before 2020 and accelerated in response to the COVID training for all school levels. The tablets used by the Project 19 pandemic. Surveyors have noted that many people hide support closed caption/narration and teachers will be trained their disabilities and problems because of stigma, and because to help students use this feature. Before starting, the National they are ashamed, and that these behaviours are pronounced Commission on Disability will be informed of the Project so for intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.   their feedback can be incorporated into implementation. The World Bank Guyana Country Engagement Note FY16–18 does not mention persons with disabilities. The World Bank IX.  World Bank engagement on Guyana Country Diagnostics 2020 (SCD)21 only mentions disability inclusion in Guyana disability as one of the reasons for persons to not participate Guyana—Education Sector Program Project (P174244): in the labor force.22 23 All training under the Project will include sensitization to students with disabilities. This will complement the ongoing ANNEXES Annex 1. Relevant Figures institutional frameworks influence the social inclusion of persons with disabilities and their meaningful participation The regional report does not contain relevant figures for Guyana. in society. In analyzing existing national legal frameworks on disability inclusion, the principal benchmarks for the study are Annex 2. Legal framework analysis (a) the universally ratified Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; (b) the World Bank’s Ten Commitments to A legal and institutional analysis of 30 countries across Disability-Inclusive Development; and (c) The World Bank the Latin America and Caribbean region23 examined the Environmental and Social Framework and accompanying Good strengths and weaknesses of existing national frameworks Practice Note on Disability. There is insufficient information for for key issues related to the World Bank’s commitments on an in-depth analysis of the legal and institutional framework, disability inclusion. The principal purpose of the data is to but existing protections are described in section VIII above and support research and policy discussions about how legal and in the Table below. 21 The Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) is a report produced by the World Bank for a partner country (usually every five years). It determines how a country can end poverty and boost shared prosperity, and the challenges that stand in the way of those twin goals. Source: https:// openknowledge.worldbank.org/collections/51faed2a-0a03-5122-8e91-7d9e28a0a3f6   22 Guyana had a Country Engagement Note FY16–18 and the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) is in preparation covering FY23–26, with World Bank Board discussion scheduled for May, 2023. The World Bank Group’s CPF is based on a comprehensive analysis of the country’s development challenges, and consultations with the government, private sector, civil society and development partners. It outlines key objectives and development results through which the World Bank Group intends to support the Government’s efforts to advance social and economic development. 23 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. 7 Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the The situation in Guyana Caribbean Guyana (GY) 1. Principle of non-discrimination. Does the legal framework…? 1.1 Recognize the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of disability? Yes 1.2 Recognize the duty to provide reasonable accommodation as an element of non-discrimination? No 1.3 Apply to private enterprises/companies? No 1.4 Include physical, mental, intellectual and sensory impairments? Partial 1.5 Devote specific protection to women/girls with disabilities? No 1.6 Devote specific protection to children with disabilities? Partial 1.7 Devote specific protection to older persons with disabilities? No 1.8 Devote specific protection to indigenous persons with disabilities? No 1.9 Cover direct and indirect discrimination? Yes 1.10 Provide for measures to prevent, eliminate or compensate any form of discrimination on the basis of disability? Yes Does the Constitution…? 1.11 Expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability? No 1.12 Include protections for persons with disabilities among provisions on fundamental rights? No 1.13 Reflect a social model orientation of disability? No 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? No 2.2 Provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in the civil, political, economic, social No and cultural spheres? 2.3 Recognize the right of persons with disabilities to be actively involved in decision-making processes concerning Yes/Partial issues relating to persons with disabilities? 2.4 Recognize the equal capacity before the law of persons with disabilities? No 2.5 Promote training of public servants on the rights of persons with disabilities? No 3. Accessibility. Does the legal framework…? 3.1 Recognize the principle of universal access? No/Partial 3.2 Recognize access to communication? No 3.3 Is sign language recognized as an official national language or otherwise given official recognition? No 3.4 Access to physical environment and transportation 3.4.1 Mandate universal access for public buildings and other public facilities (private/government offices) Yes including schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces; and including accessibility standards for public buildings? 3.4.2 Mandate universal access to transport infrastructure and services? Yes 3.4.3 Provide for subsidized access to transport? No 3.4.4 Mandate reasonable accommodation to access services for the public? No 3.5 Access to Information 3.5.1 Mandate public information for persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies without No additional cost? (including Braille, tactile communication, audio, plain-language, human-reader, augmented modes, etc.) 3.5.2 Allow for the use of alternative modes of communication and other accessible means for official No interactions (i.e. use of sign languages, Braille, etc.)? 8 Disability Inclusion in The situation in Guyana Latin America and the Caribbean Guyana (GY) 3.5.3 Mandate accessibility of information and technology including electronic services? No 3.5.4 Provide accessibility standards for audio-visual media? Partial 1. Education. Does the legal framework…? 1.1 Expressly recognize the principle of an inclusive education system and articulate the aims of inclusive education? No 1.2 Prohibit the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the general education system? Yes 1.3 Cover all levels of education for persons with disabilities? Partial 1.4 Ensure access of persons with disabilities to the general education system? Yes 1.5 Include reasonable accommodation based on individual student’s requirements? Partial 1.6 Plan for persons with disabilities to receive support and individualized support within the general education Partial system? 2. Health. Does the legal framework…? 2.1 Provide persons with disabilities with health services of the same quality and standard of free or affordable health Yes care as provided to other persons? 2.2 Provide for access to reproductive health to persons with disabilities? No 2.3 Provide health services needed by persons with disabilities specifically to minimize and prevent secondary Yes disabilities? 2.4 Mandate the creation of funds/public programs for rehabilitation services? Yes 2.5 Recognize free and informed consent of persons with disabilities and establish ethical standards for the provision No 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 employment, and provide Yes safe and healthy working conditions? 3.2 Mandate the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector? No 3.3 Establish a quota system for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector? No 3.4 Promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the private sector through appropriate policies and Partial measures which may include affirmative action programs, incentives and other measures? 3.5 Mandate reasonable accommodation in the workplace? No 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 exclusion based on Yes legal capacity? 4.2 Persons with disabilities might be denied the right to stand for office on account of discriminatory qualification Yes criteria excluding them. 4.3 Guarantee equal and effective access to voting procedures, facilities and materials in order for persons with No 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 quotas or other positive measures? No 4.5 Expressly mandate assisted voting for persons with disabilities, including selection of an assistant of their own Yes 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 9 Disability Inclusion in Latin America and the The situation in Guyana Caribbean Guyana (GY) 5. Social Protection. Does the legal framework…? 5.1 Recognize disability-related expenses in social protection programs? No 5.2 Recognize the right of persons with disabilities to access public housing programs? Partial 5.3 Prohibit discrimination in access to and supply of goods and services? No 6. Protection in situation of risk. Does the legal framework…? 6.1 Work towards the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk/emergency including No armed conflict, public health emergencies, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters? 1. National Monitoring 1.1 Does the State have focal points within Government from which to implement the Convention? Yes 1.2 Does the State coordinate within Government to facilitate related actions in different sectors and at different No levels? 2. Establish an independent monitoring 2.1 Does the State have a framework with independent mechanisms to implement and monitor the Convention? Yes 2.2 Does the designated framework meet the requirements of independence? 3. Participation in monitoring 3.1 Has the State taken measures to involve civil society? Yes 3.2 Has the State taken measures to involve persons with disabilities? Yes 3.3 Has the State taken measures to include gender perspectives? No 3.4 Has the State taken measures to allow those with disabilities to participate in public matters affecting them? Yes 3.5 Has the state taken measures for participation in the monitoring process and the preparation of the State No report? Annex 3. Stakeholder mapping24 ● Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD): The umbrella body that represents There is a range of government bodies and disability support most organizations for persons with disabilities (OPD’s) in organisations in Guyana that aim to provide practical support Guyana, working in advocacy and capacity building, and to meet the day-to-day needs of persons with disabilities. The with all types of disabilities. National Commission on Disabilities (NDC) maintains a register ● The National Commission on Disability (NCD) was of these organisations. All are close to and trusted by their created by an Act of Parliament and is accountable to the communities, but most are under-funded and depend on the President of Guyana. It comprises 12 members selected by commitment and enthusiasm of dedicated staff and volunteers agencies and organizations, and appointed by Cabinet. Its to support their services. The bodies which advocate most primary role is to change policies and police laws protecting strongly for persons with disabilities are the Guyana Council the rights of persons with disabilities. The secretary of the of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) and The NDC represents the interests of persons with disabilities National Commission on Disability (NCD). Both entities are well at the National DRM Platform.   organised, have strong relationships with government, and are ● The Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation (GCBR) well placed to influence policy. However, neither organisation Program aims to promote community involvement and appears to be meaningfully consulted or included in the help persons with disabilities and their families to meet early phases of planning and policy development, or policy their own needs within local communities. The GCBR implementation.   This is a living document that is constantly being updated. Therefore, the list of stakeholders may change from time to time. Following appropriate 24 accessibility features (sign interpretation, closed caption) is key to ensure that persons with disabilities can efficiently and openly participate in meetings and consultations. 10 Disability Inclusion in The situation in Guyana Latin America and the Caribbean Program works with persons with disabilities in four main Annex 4. Glossary—Empower with words areas: vision, hearing and speech, movement, and learning; ● Language used on disability varies across countries and it seeks to develop the self-esteem and self-reliance of cultures. In a country context, it is useful to ask persons persons with disabilities, and help them to integrate into with disabilities which words and phrases they prefer. It is mainstream society. It also trains volunteers to work with also important to find out whether an individual is willing persons with disabilities and their families. to disclose their disability. When describing an individual, ● Guyana Society for the Blind—(GSB) seeks to empower do not reference his or her disability unless it is clearly blind persons. It provides one-to-one training in which pertinent to the issue or story. persons are matched with other persons with disabilities ● It is recommended to use ‘person-first language’, which so they can learn these skills from those who would have puts the person before his or her impairment (a person already gained experience. who uses a wheelchair, a person with visual impairment) ● Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired: The which is in line with the United Nations’ Convention on the primary focus of the association is the preservation of sight, Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). the prevention of blindness, advocacy, and empowerment ● The use of terms such as “handicapped”, “a person suffering of persons with blindness and visual disabilities through from…”, “mentally retarded”, “able-bodied/normal”, “the education and training. The association promotes and disabled”, “the blind”, “paraplegic”, “wheelchair-bound” are teaches reading and writing in Braille. not recommended. Disability is not an illness and hence it ● The National Commission on Disability (NCD) is is important to refrain from using terms such as healthy appointed by and accountable to the President of Guyana. versus sick. It was officially launched in 1997 and is now governed by the Persons with Disability Act 2010. It has 12 members The following brief glossary provides guidelines to portray selected by agencies and organizations and appointed by individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way Cabinet. The NCD coordinates a multi-sectoral approach with language that is neutral: to help persons with disabilities live full and productive ● Person(s) with disabilities lives, influence policies, police laws protecting the rights ● Person who is blind/ or person with visual disabilities of persons with disabilities, and provide information on ● Person who is deaf/ person who is deaf or hard of hearing/ disability issues in Guyana. The Office of the Prime Minister person with hearing disabilities: Many people in the Deaf is responsible to see that existing and developing policies community prefer the use of a lowercase “d” to refer and legislation complement the 2014 Disabilities Act. to audiological status and the use of a capital “D” when ● The Caribbean Development Bank: The Caribbean referring to the culture and community of Deaf people. Development Bank has launched the Disability Assessment ● Person who is deaf/blind Project (2018) to develop evidence-based projects and ● Person with mobility/physical disabilities services to mainstream disability in the region. The project ● Person using a wheelchair/a wheelchair user seeks to provide robust disability data in social, economic, ● Person with intellectual/developmental disabilities and political domains; examine the differential impacts ● Person with albinism of disability and its intersection with other vulnerabilities ● Person with short stature or little person associated with sex, age cohort (children, youth, elderly ● Person with psychosocial disabilities and working age), ethnicity, and race (as relevant); identify ● Person with Down syndrome constraints and enablers to equal participation of persons ● Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) with disabilities compared those without in growth ● Assistive devices (white cane, hearing aid, wheelchair, sectors of the formal and informal economy; and examine tricycle). vulnerabilities to natural disasters, economic shocks and climate change. 11