Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin addresses International Day of Persons With Disabilities celebrations in New Providence at the Holy Cross Anglican Church Hall where a workshop on assisted technology for the disabled was part of the list of activities. Presenters included Ms. Sharon Clarke, Chief Speech Language Pathologist; Mrs. Shenika McIntosh, Occupational Therapist and Mr. Ancil Torres of the Torres Foundation. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The passage of the Persons With
Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014 is a vital piece of legislation
that will play a major role in shifting the negative "cultural
attitudes" towards Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Minister of Social
Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin said
Wednesday.
Addressing celebrations surrounding the observance of
International Day of Persons With Disabilities, Mrs. Griffin said the Act
"is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will affect the
lives of persons with disabilities."
International Day of Persons With Disabilities is a United Nations
global initiative that is observed every year on December 3 amongst Member
States. The celebrations in The Bahamas were highlighted by a special workshop
on Disability.
"The Persons With Disabilities legislation is a vital tool
that is necessary to bring about a shift in cultural attitudes towards this
group of persons and remove the unfair discrimination and marginalization
practices that have existed for far too long," Mrs. Griffin said.
"The community of Persons with Disabilities, together with
social partners, non-governmental organizations and civil society have
forcefully advocated for years for the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
These efforts realized success in July of this year with the passage of the
legislation.
"It is very, very important for society as a whole to embrace
Persons with Disabilities and understanding that they have both the ability and
the capability to work and function alongside their counterparts in
society," Mrs. Griffin added.
Hundreds of persons with disabilities, representing various segments of the community of persons with disabilities attended the annual observance of International Day of Persons With Disabilities that was held at the Holy Cross Anglican Church Hall in New Providence Wednesday. Other celebrations were held throughout The Bahamas. International Day of Persons With Disabilities is observed each year on December 3, by United Nations Member States, The Bahamas included. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Minister Griffin said it is estimated that there are over one
billion persons worldwide living with one type of disability or another. She
said the observance of International Day of Persons With Disabilities has even
greater significance in The Bahamas this year, "as we now have in place
legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities through the
Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014."
"We have every reason to be proud of this significant
achievement (and) the Government of The Bahamas is committed to ensuring that
persons with disabilities enjoy the same basic rights as their counterparts in
society. We call on social partners, the business community and civil society
to join in this commitment. Let us work together for the greater good of
all," Mrs. Griffin added.
Mrs. Griffin said each year the United Nations selects a theme
that is designed to help remove some of the many barriers that prohibit the
inclusion of all persons with disabilities into the socio-economic fabric of
global countries. This year, the United Nations selected the theme:
"Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology" in an attempt to
help remove the barriers facing persons with disabilities with regards to
access to, and benefits from, technology.
"The United Nations reminds us that to sustain development in
our various countries, technology must play a major role. We all agree that
technology has shaped our lives tremendously over the years and has impacted
every facet of our daily functioning.
"If we are to fully integrate persons with disabilities in the
developmental process of our country, we must explore and promote the benefits
of technology in facilitating and enabling their abilities."
Mrs. Griffin said the workshop on disability, held at the Holy
Cross Anglican Church Parish Hall, provided officials with an opportunity to
promote better understanding of assisted technology for persons with
disabilities.
"There is no doubt that the utilization of technology will
impact the quality of life of persons with disabilities and it is my hope that
this workshop is both educational and rewarding and prepares us further to take
full advantage of the improved quality of life for persons with disabilities as
the full implementation of the provisions of our new legislation unfolds,"
Mrs. Griffin added.