Kangaloo: New policy on disabled coming

AFTER months of public review and consultation, the revised policy on persons with disabilities will soon be presented to Cabinet for approval. Social Services Delivery Minister Senator Christine Kangaloo stated this at the opening ceremony of a Na-tional Fair in commemoration of the International Day of Disabled Persons at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando Friday. “The national review and revision of the draft policy on Persons with Disabilities was completed and the revised policy is ready for presentation to Cabinet,” Kangaloo said. The Senator said the occasion was a time for celebrating the achievements of disabled persons who had risen above their disabilities to achieve both academic and vocational success.

She cited the National Special Olympic swimming team and talented youngsters Mikkel Trestrail and Veera Bhajan as shining examples. Kangaloo said, “Today is set aside as a special day on which we can and we do as a community collectively say, not just of our disabled brothers and sisters, but of ourselves as a people — Well done.” And with George Daniel, chairman of the TT Chapter of Disabled Persons International, in the audience, the minister stated that next year would be a “busy year” with the ministry strengthening partnerships with members of the disabled community and intensifying lobbying efforts to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities are included in all activities from the planning stage.

Meanwhile, the information booth occupied by Newsday drew scores of both disabled persons and other interested parties who complimented this newspaper for its presence at the fair. Several persons commended the paper on its hard-hitting editorials and fearless reporting. Newsday marketing representative Diane Gopaulsingh said the paper was pleased to be associated with the exposition which also provided information about employment op-portunities available at a number of State and private organisations. Gopaulsingh observed that the paper was also an equal opportunity employer and revealed that several persons with disabilities had been employed with the paper for a number of years on a permanent basis. Also represented at the exposition was State-owned oil company, Petrotrin, Happi Products, TTEC, Costaatt and Nedco.