(Georgetown, December 03, 2025)— The National Commission on Disability (NCD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the 2025–2029 National Strategic Plan for Disability Inclusion, signalling a strengthened national commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons living with disabilities across Guyana. The event, held at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown, brought together government officials, civil society partners, international organisations, and persons with disabilities, highlighting a unified national effort to advance inclusion and equality.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Frank Anthony, emphasised that the strategic plan represents more than a policy document; it is an actionable framework designed to remove barriers, expand essential services, and support children and adults with disabilities throughout their lives. He underscored the principle that every child, regardless of ability, has the right to be seen, supported, and given every opportunity to reach their full potential. Referring to Guyana’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Minister noted that the plan reflects the country’s commitment to these global standards.
Minister Anthony also highlighted the critical role of data-driven decision-making and commended the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) partnership in conducting a comprehensive situation analysis on children with disabilities. This collaboration, he explained, has helped strengthen the evidence base necessary for meaningful national progress.
Representing UNICEF Guyana & Suriname, Mr Gabriel Vockel, Representative a.i., reaffirmed UNICEF’s strong partnership with the Government of Guyana and the NCD. He described the plan as a major step forward in national development and emphasised that every child has the right to be seen and supported. He noted that inclusion must be central to national progress, stressing that it is not optional but essential. Mr Vockel highlighted the importance of improved data systems, inclusive education, early intervention, and strengthened social protection, pledging UNICEF’s continued support throughout the implementation of the plan.
Speaking on behalf of the National Commission on Disability, Vice Chairperson Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon described the launch as a defining moment for disability inclusion in Guyana. She stated that the plan rejects the acceptance of barriers as normal and was designed with the energy and ambition necessary to improve lives. She noted that it is “a plan with legs, and wheels and ramps and interpreters and accessible communication tools,” emphasising that it is ready to move into action.
The Strategic Plan outlines key areas essential to advancing disability inclusion across the country. It focuses on ensuring that all children have equitable access to education and are adequately supported in the classroom, strengthening early identification and intervention so that individuals can benefit from timely and lifelong support, expanding social protection measures to reduce vulnerability, strengthening accessibility in communication and public services, and deepening cross-sector collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, communities, and international partners.
In formally presenting the plan to Dr Anthony, Mrs Persaud-McKinnon emphasised that its success will depend on partnerships and collective responsibility. She noted that the plan represents not only a policy direction but a national commitment grounded in accountability, dignity, and action, underscoring that its success requires every sector and community to work together.
The NCD reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government agencies, private-sector partners, civil society organisations, and international allies to ensure full implementation of the strategic plan over the next five years. As the national body mandated to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, the NCD remains committed to advocating for equitable access to services and supporting efforts that promote full inclusion in all sectors of society.