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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Registration to Determine Number of Persons with Disabilities; $10M Allocated for Developmental Disability Facility
By Matt Maura
Jun 30, 2016 - 10:18:45 PM
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 NASSAU, The Bahamas June 29 – The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has begun its registration process to determine the exact numbers of persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Minister of Social Services and Community Development said the Commission’s registration process will bode well not only for those citizens with disabilities, but the country itself, as the government continues to ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities within The Bahamas.
“One of the reasons persons with disabilities are often ignored is because their numbers are not definitively known,” Mrs. Griffin said. “World Health Organization statistics state that anywhere from 10-15 per cent of persons in a country will experience some type of disability. This means that somewhere between 37,000 and 55,000 Bahamians are living with some type of disability whether it be physical, intellectual, psychological, or developmental.
“It is notable that the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has begun their registration process. This process should allow for a more definitive number on the persons with disabilities living in the country.”
Minister Griffin said the registration form used to compile the information was approved by the Department of Statistics and has been distributed to various organizations for persons with disabilities as well as Social Services Centres throughout the country.
“Parents, guardians and caregivers of persons with disabilities, as well as persons with disabilities who are able to, are encouraged to register as a matter of urgency as the Act requires,” Mrs. Griffin added.
Mrs. Griffin said the establishment of a proper database detailing the numbers of Bahamians with disabilities is one of a number of initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities.
She said, in order to facilitate additional training for young adults with developmental disabilities, the Government of The Bahamas has allocated $10 million in the Capital Works Budget of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development for the construction of a multi-service facility for persons with developmental disabilities.
“This initiative came out of the desire to address the needs of young adults with developmental disabilities who have completed the course of study provided by the Ministry of Education and other private facilities,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“When completed, the centre will use curricula adapted to fit within the Bahamian cultural context and designed to promote inclusion, independence and productivity. Emphasis will be placed on activities that teach students how to live on their own and become productive members of society. They will be encouraged to volunteer in local business and government facilities,” Mrs. Griffin said.
The facility (to be constructed in the Gladstone Road area) is to be built on 30-acres of Crown Land in two phases. The first phase will include construction of administration offices, an auditorium, light-manufacturing facilities, woodwork area, education block, car detailing, horticultural/agricultural facility, medical building, educational block and nature trail.
Phase Two of the construction will include the building of respite housing, a pool, recreational games area, a horse stable and the establishment of riding trails for therapeutic purposes. The facility is designed to operate five days a week from 8am-5pm with recreational and special outings being provided on weekends.
The facility will cater to 250 persons engaged in on-site programmes of work skills training and academics, therapy, agriculture and light-manufacturing.
A Project Coordinator, Project Manager and Administrative Assistant, have been appointed to oversee management of the preparatory steps for the full operation of the facility. The team was formed in 2014 and has undertaken a number of projects closely associated with the operation of the multi-service centre.
“If we are to engage in the creation of a society that values all life, then we must put our time, our talents and our money into building facilities that address the needs of the many persons with disabilities who cannot speak for themselves.
“By doing so, we greatly increase our population’s awareness to persons with disabilities, bring more people into the workforce and above all, display the often hidden and untapped talents of persons with different abilities,” Mrs. Griffin said.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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