“On the 3rd of December, we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is observed with an overall objective of promoting understanding of the issues faced by Persons with Disabilities, and increasing awareness on the advantages of getting such persons integrated and more involved in political, social, economic and cultural life. Thus, the observance of this day intends to mobilize support for the rights, well-being and most importantly, dignity of persons with disabilities”, said Hon. State Minister of COVID19 control, Primary Healthcare and Epidemics and the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
The global theme of the Day for this year, in particular, is: “leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
Keeping in line with the general overall objectives and the specific theme for this year’s Day of the Persons with Disabilities, the Parliament along with the Women’s Caucus has embarked upon several programs and is continuing to take various efforts to strengthen the rights of such persons, language rights and accessibility to Parliament in particular.
Dr Fernandopulle stated that one such program conducted by the Caucus was the ‘Policy Dialogue on Disability Rights’ which was held on the 28th of June this year where many issues and challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities were discussed in detail. In fact, the Caucus and the Select Committee on Women and Gender Equality got the opportunity to hear directly from persons with disabilities, as many representatives of Persons with Disabilities were given the opportunity and a platform to voice their concerns and suggestions to that effect.
She further stated that consequent to such dialogues, the Caucus was proud to announce that for the first time in the history of Parliament, upon a request initiated by the Caucus, sign language interpretation was provided during the budget debate. Accordingly, a simultaneous Sign Language Interpretation Counter was telecasted live on TV starting from the 12th of November, during the Budget debate, thereby upholding both language rights and accessibility to information on civic matters of Persons with Disabilities.
Furthermore, Dr Fernandopulle remarked that on the 25th of November 2021, the Department of Social Services under her Ministry felicitated persons with disabilities for creativity with the intent of providing them more encouragement, recognition and visibility.
Dr. Fernandopulle opined that the Caucus is also mindful of Sri Lanka’s obligations under Article 33 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), that Sri Lanka ratified in 2016, and was taking initiative advocating to set up an independent body entrusted with the task of promoting, protecting and monitoring implementation of the UNCRPD. This would provide the added advantage of ascertaining the country’s compliance with international standards as well.
It is noteworthy that the dialogue on improving rights and mobilizing support for Persons with Disabilities to better integrate in all aspect of life was of paramount importance considering the recent statistics and projections pertaining to disability in Sri Lanka. “For instance, population projections, in terms of a study conducted by the Ministry of Health, indicate that by 2040 Persons with Disabilities would comprise 24% of the total population of Sri Lanka. The Caucus also takes special cognizance of the studies that indicate that across different types of disabilities, including impairment of vision, mobility, hearing and cognition, women are more affected than men”, said Dr. Fernandopulle.
In view of the above, the Caucus has strengthened its efforts to accelerate the process and initiate discussion on the enactment of the ‘Disability Rights Bill’ which was discussed in detail in the Policy Dialogue held early in June of this year.
To translate into practice, the Government’s commitment to realize the rights of the disabled, recognizing the shutting out of children and youth with disabilities from education, in turn impacts their equal access to opportunities such as employment and public services in later life, new initiatives have been forged in the field of vocational training. As Chair of the Caucus, Dr Fernandopulle reports that the Social Services Department under her Ministry opened the ninth Vocational Training Institute (VTI) at Batticaloa for young persons with disabilities. The strategy adopted is in the nature of a public-private-partnership to ensure that the youth get hands-on experience through referrals to private sector work places for training placements with prospects of employment. “On the occasion of International Day dedicated to persons with disabilities, in realizing one of our strategic efforts to ensure inclusion supportive of school-to-work transition, we inaugurated the first VTI in the Tamil medium in Batticaloa, and plans are underway to establish a similar institution in Kilinochchi as well”, said Dr. Fernandopulle.
Another such strategic effort takes the form of establishing Child Guidance Centres facilitating the early-identification of children with disabilities while providing multi-sectoral services. “The second such Child Guidance Centre would be inaugurated in Ambalangoda, and we are planning to establish such Centres in four more districts in the year 2022”, remarked Dr. Fernandopulle.
In conclusion, Dr. Fernandopulle on behalf of the Select Committee and Caucus stated, “While acknowledging there is yet a long way to go, the Parliament and the Caucus stay committed to its undertaking to uplift the lives of Persons with Disabilities by creating a country which respects, promotes, protects, and supports the rights, well-being and dignity of Persons with Disabilities”.
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