PLWDs on government’s development radar – President Ali

PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES (PLWDS) are a fixture on the government’s
development radar assured President Irfaan Ali during a virtual meeting with members of the
National Commission on Disability (NCD) earlier this week.
“We have an agenda that looks at improving the living conditions, the welfare and ensuring that
we mainstream our efforts in relation to persons living with disabilities in the social and
economic development of the country,” President Ali told the NCD.
Ali said his government eschews “ad hoc” implementation of development schemes pursued to
enhance the lives of PLWDs, citing the one-off $25,000 cash grant they received.
“Of course, we see this as just the beginning, we have to look at facilities throughout the
country…so that we can better be able to provide services,” the president said.
He said his government has engaged the private sector to help facilitate employment for PLWDs
reminding the NCD that technological advancements have made it easier for their members to
work in certain industries, such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) since they can
function from home.
There are also opportunities for them to gain employment in the technologically-dependent new
call centres which will also be available on online, ICT platforms.
PLWDs must be “economically empowered…ensuring that they have an opportunity to actively
participate in the advancement and development of the country,” President Ali reiterated.
Consequently, his administration is working with the banking sector to help facilitate
homeownership for persons living with disabilities.
“Of course, the Government will have to actually step up in a bigger way and this will have to be
a major part of our social outsourcing. I can assure you that we will work as hard as possible to

ensure that we have greater integration and greater support for persons living with disabilities,”
Ali said.
Meanwhile, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Acting Chair of the NCD thanked the Guyanese leader
for the one-off cash grant local PLWDs.
Persaud-McKinnon was pleased with the government’s revealed plans to multiply
opportunities, to improve the lives, and enhance the welfare of PLWDs.