Token attention paid to differently-able

THE EDITOR: Another budget has been presented to the nation and everyone’s focus is on how would it impact on their spending power. I have listened to some of the after budget debates and comments all focusing on oil, oil revenue and agriculture. My focus is on the differently challenged people who have been in the spotlight due to the efforts of Mr Daniel and his group and have managed to gain some sort of recognition from the Government.

Although the Government seems to be providing some sort of relief through specialised transport facilities for the physically challenged and some financial assistance to address their needs (which is commendable) along with pensions and other benefits for the less fortunate, there are other disabled persons that are being left behind. The Prime Minister made reference to the providing of text books in larger print for the visually impaired. What about those who have lost their sight completely? The only other mention is the reviewing of the policy on persons with disability with the aim of ensuring conformity with international human rights. What about equality under our own Constitution. Does one have to study and review these polices before anything can be done in the short term?

The Minister of Education explained that specially trained persons would be available to identify the many needs of our young children. Those with sight problems would be given glasses and the hearing impaired would be given hearing aids. Is she aware that some of the hearing impaired require more than hearing aids, because a lot of the profoundly hearing impaired persons are not in the mainstream system?
They require specially trained teachers in most if not all schools so that these children  can have equal opportunity as is laid out in the Constitution. It is also an additional financial burden to the parents who have to pay for their child’s education when under the Constitution free education is a fundamental right. Where is the equality?

Is it that the problems of the majority (mainstream) are more important than the minority (differently abled) so that just a token bit of attention is paid to them? Attention is paid in all quarters to the main stream youths. (primary, secondary, tertiary), and the differently abled forgotten. Is it that those in authority feel that the differently abled are not capable of attaining academic and professional excellence so it’s a waste of their time and money? We are a far cry from becoming a developed nation in this area. The year 2020 is not very far away.

PETER RUSSEL
Arima