Persons with disabilities in Dominica will have the opportunity to bring issues affecting them to the fore as the Dominica Association with Persons with Disabilities gears up for a collaborative panel discussion on December 11, 2024.
This was according to the President of Dominica Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton during her address in observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
“Here in Dominica, to commemorate the day the Dominica Association with Persons with Disabilities is collaborating with the Division of Social Services to host a panel discussion on December 11, 2024, to give persons with disabilities a forum to bring the issues affecting them to the fore, all in an effort to finding ways and solutions to these issues,” she said.
Burton continued, “The commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 has presented an opportunity to amplify the role of persons with disabilities in reinforcing the social pillar of sustainable development and underscoring that economic growth, while essential, is not sufficient on its own to address the deep-rooted and structural inequalities that persist.”
International Day of Persons with Disabilities was observed under the theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”.
Burton said the theme recognizes the important role that persons with disabilities can play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all, as well as “…participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives,” she noted.
“It also reflects the current international, political, and policy contexts. In particular, the part for the future.”
She went on to state that the theme also seeks to amplify the centrality of the leadership role of persons with disabilities in all of these efforts, from the global to the local.
“…Without us, people with disabilities have been at the forefront of the disability rights movement, enlightening the public and driving societal progress,” Burton stated.
She added, “Their journeys from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond [showcase] the power of human determination and the transformative potential of inclusive leadership.”
According to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) persons with disabilities make up 16% of the global population, yet they rarely access leadership roles in the health sector. They commonly face numerous barriers that prevent them from accessing these roles, such as discrimination, stigma, or exclusion from education and employment opportunities.
WHO recognizes that amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities is essential to make meaningful progress in achieving global health goals, advancing health equity for all, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The report also stated that including persons with disabilities in decision-making processes in the health sector is a fundamental step to drive change towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. To support governments and health sector partners to advance health equity, WHO published a new health system strategic planning tool that facilitates the meaningful engagement of persons with disabilities in line with human rights-based approaches.
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