DISABILITY IN SEYCHELLES AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE DISABLED: -Moving towards inclusion and opportunities |12 July 2008
In the disability field, however, there are also many specific circumstances that have
Over the years, disability policy developed from elementary care in institutions to education for children with disabilities and rehabilitation for people who became disabled during adult life.
Through education and rehabilitation, people with disabilities became more active and a driving force in the further development of disability policy. Organisations of the disabled, their families and advocates were formed, which advocated better conditions.
After the second world war the concepts of integration and normalisation were introduced, which reflected a growing awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities. Towards the end of the 1960s, organisations of the disabled in some countries started to formulate a new concept of disability.
This showed the close connection between the limitations experienced by individuals with disabilities, the design and structure of their environment and the attitude of the general population. At the same time the problems of disability in developing countries were more and more highlighted.
Today, the international community recognises the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for the disabled to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination.
It also recognises that disability is an evolving concept resulting from the interaction between people with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
The conviction in today’s society is that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the state, and that people with disabilities and their family members should receive the necessary protection and help to enable families to contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of the disabled.
Emphasis today is on ability not disability, on community-based rehabilitation, inclusion and mainstreaming as opposed to institutionalised care.
People with disabilities in Seychelles have had a number of services made available to and for them since the fist disability survey was carried out in 1981.
The policy, in Seychelles, on the disabled is based on the principle of equalisation of opportunities for all people. The aim is for those with disabilities to achieve full participation and equality.
Government ministries and departments such as social development, health, education, community development and the social security fund have varying responsibility for ensuring financial, educational and recreational, preventive and curative, social and rehabilitative programmes for those with disabilities.
General legislation such as the Acts for social services, health, education and social security form the basis for all care and financial security, while the National Council for Disabled Persons Act 1994 covers the specifics with regard to disability.
THE DISABILITY PROFILE IN SEYCHELLES
In 1981, during the International Year of the Disabled, a survey was undertaken to identify all disabled people in Seychelles. A total of 2,908 persons were registered as disabled in this survey. In 1991, another survey was conducted and found that the total was 732.
The decline in figures leads us to assume that either the preventive measures were effective or a good number of people with disabilities were left out of the survey.
The most recent survey on disability was carried out in 1996 when a total of 1,496 people were recorded. The survey collected data on the geographic distribution, cause, type, state and categories of disability, the education status, the status of employment, residence and accessibility as well as the financial circumstances.
As for disability itself, the data collected classified the disabled population into five categories –physical, mental/intellectual impairments and/or sensory impairments (hearing, speech and vision), and it was noted that of the 1,496, a great number have more than one disability.
Recognising that disability in Seychelles is acquired rather than congenital, for lack of further information the Council for the Disabled assumes physical disability is due to accidents, again either work or leisure-related.
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT – impetus for local action:
The rights of people with disabilities have been the subject of much attention in the United Nations and other international organisations over a long period of time.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families have all to some measure internationally, regionally and at country level influenced the promotion and formulation of policies, plans, programmes and actions to further equalise opportunities for the disabled.
Even the Millennium Development Goals cannot be fulfilled in their entirety without taking into consideration the needs of people with disabilities.
The most important outcome of the International Year of Disabled Persons, 1981, was the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982. Further to this, 1993-2002 was declared the Decade of Disabled Persons; these actions provided a strong impetus for progress in the field, emphasing the right of the disabled to the same opportunities as other citizens and to an equal share in the improvements in living conditions resulting from economic and social development.
The experience of the UN Decade led to calls for a Decade of Disabled Persons in various continents, including Africa, providing a local approach to the problems of disability and thus developing effective local solutions.
The action plan of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities provided guidance to member states (governments of the Organisation of African Unity) in achieving the goal of the Decade.
In 1993 the UN General Assembly adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, and in May of this year, convinced that a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of the disabled will make a significant contribution to redressing their profound social disadvantages and promoting their participation in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres with equal opportunities, in both developing and developed countries, it adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
LOCAL ENGAGEMENT – structures and governance:
The principle of equal rights for the disabled and non-disabled implies that the needs of each and every individual are of equal importance, that these needs must be made the basis when planning services, and that all resources must be employed in such a way as to ensure, for every individual, equal opportunities.
Government:
The Ministry of Health and Social Development attempts to ensure that all people in Seychelles attain the highest possible level of physical, social, mental and spiritual wellbeing, free from disease or infirmity, and in so doing promotes, protects and restores the health of all people in Seychelles with the active participation of all its people.
The ministry holds the portfolio of all issues concerning people with disabilities. The Health Department looks into all programmes of prevention, while the Social Development Department alleviates social problems by providing help through counselling, guidance, support and encouragement and carried out other duties directed towards prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The Health Services Authority provides treatment, care and rehabilitation services; treatment and care is provided on an inpatient basis in the Psychiatric Unit, Victoria Hospital, as well as at the North East Point health complex, where a few people with disabilities live.
In addition, the Early Intervention Centre for Children (0-5 years) plays a vital role in preventing impairment or disability from handicapping a child permanently.
The School for the Exceptional Child, Ministry of Education, sees to the education of all children with disabilities until they turn 16, while a number of children with physical disabilities have found a place in mainstream education.
The Community Development Department, in the Ministry of Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture, has helped communities by setting up disability support groups and has established an “outreach programme” providing sporting and recreational activities for the disabled.
The Ministry of Finance, through the Social Security Division, gives an invalidity benefit to people confirmed by the Social Security Medical Board as disabled.
The National Council for the Disabled:
The apex body overseeing all issues relating to people with disabilities is the National Council for the Disabled, set up by the National Council for Disabled Persons Act 1994.
The Act states the functions and powers of the council as well as the regulations of its staff and accommodation. The ultimate goal of the council is inclusion and the equalisation of opportunities.
The council coordinates the activities of public or private organisations and other people engaged in the welfare of the disabled, and in collaboration provides care and help to disabled people; it promotes, develops and organises services and programmes for the rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities.
With regard to the policy context, the council provides researched information and analysis to the Minister of Health and Social Development, so that appropriate policies and informed decisions are made with regard to legislative and administrative measures, service provision and the training of professionals and staff working with the disabled.
Non-governmental organisations – self-representation:
As disabled people have equal rights, they also have equal obligations; it is their duty to take part in bringing about change to get disability issues mainstreamed and attain equal opportunities. The Parents of the Disabled Association of Seychelles, Seychelles Disabled People’s Organisation, Special Olympics Seychelles, the Sports Association for the Disabled, the Union of the Blind are NGOs working with or run by people with disabilities and serving a specific purpose. Sadly, not many are active and are not serving the disabled by fulfilling the objectives of their organisation.
The family:
Relatives of people with disabilities have always taken on great responsibility, and their work is often far-reaching. For many the situation can be demanding, physically, mentally and socially, and in certain families care is given round the clock with very little respite.
BASIC CHALLENGES
The major restructuring undertaken throughout government brought about changes in the way government conducts its business. Acting more as a facilitator of services rather than provider, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has handed over the provision of vocational training and employment prospects to the council.
The ministry will, in collaboration with its social partners, develop policy, the Health Services Authority will provide the medical, paramedical and rehabilitation services as well as early intervention programmes, and the council, in assuming the role of service provider, will undertake community-based rehabilitation.
Full participation and equal opportunities are not limited to community-based rehabilitation as experience at local and global level has shown that it is largely the environment that determines the effect of impairment or a disability on a person’s daily life.
Accessibility is one of the main challenges – to inclusive education, to the workplace, to adapted housing, to roads, to transport, to public facilities, to name but a few.
This does not apply merely to government. Anyone in charge of any kind of enterprise should make it accessible to people with disabilities – public agencies and buildings, offices of non-governmental organisations, firms and private individuals, especially shops.
The council intends to actively pursue the principle of inclusion and opportunities to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy effective participation in their communities. The council, in assuming new responsibilities, expects the disabled through their organisations to take on an active role to include providing a voice of their own, identifying needs, expressing views on priorities, evaluating services and advocating change and public awareness.
The image of disabled people is based on different factors that may be the greatest barrier to participation and equality; we see the disability, shown by crutches, hearing aids and wheelchairs, but not the person. What is required is to focus on the ability not disability.
SUMMARY OF MAIN PROJECTS
Update of the disability survey:
Data to hand today is very outdated therefore the council will launch, next month, an update of the disability survey to seek basic information on the needs of people with disabilities. Another survey to be launched at the same time is one to assess the possibilities within in each district for training and employment. The data collected in the two surveys will enable the council to proceed more effectively with its other projects.
Community-based rehabilitation:
The council recognises the right of all people with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and will therefore take appropriate measures to ease full enjoyment by the disabled of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the community.
The council, through community-based rehabilitation, will verify living conditions, social services, home relief/respite care, therapy and recreational/cultural activities and organise their availability at community level, so people with disabilities, those who can, may live independently and be included in the community.
The community-based rehabilitation services will provide: information and referral services including access to early intervention programmes for infants, children and newly disabled adults; promotion of positive attitudes towards people with disabilities and prevention of the causes of disabilities; family support and training; training to partners in service provision and monitoring and evaluating programmes.
Public awareness, information dissemination, civic education and continuing education:
Facts will be disseminated to provide information to people with disabilities and promote an understanding of their rights, and provide education to prevent the causes of disability. Importantly, the information programmes will be aimed at the public and the disabled themselves, to remove negative attitudes, stereotypes and prejudices. The council will also see how to ease continued education and access to special programmes in post-secondary institutions.
Vocational and employment programmes:
Young disabled people will be provided with career and vocational opportunities as they are expected to fulfill their role in society and meet their obligations as adults. Training and employment opportunities will be sought in private enterprises or set up at community level. The council will support local initiatives in the form of viable income-generating activities.
Accessibility:
Measures to help people with permanent disabilities who are in need of community support services, aids and equipment, and home adaptations to enable them to live as normally as possible, both at home and in the community, will be set up by the council.
Support services:
One of the council’s projects is to see how to help and support those who live with people with disabilities to give them adequate rest and relaxation and an opportunity to take care of their own needs.
National workshop – establishing mandates:
The International Day of the Disabled, December 3, will be used to provide public awareness on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to establish the responsibilities of the different stakeholders with regard to the articles of the convention which Seychelles is party to.
New logo and name:
The views of the public and of the disabled will be sought on a new name for the council and a change in logo so we move with the times and portray the new role of the council.
Volunteer programme:
The council will start a volunteer recruitment drive to get the help of concerned citizens. Volunteers could be individuals or could come from an NGO.
Corporate sponsorship:
With these many new programmes, the council will have to diversify its source of funds, and help from the private sector, local and international, will be sought.
CONCLUSION
It has been said that one of the benchmarks by which one can measure a society’s respect for human rights is looking the status of people with disabilities and evaluating the services given to them.
The concept of a caring society is strengthened when we recognise that the disabled should enjoy the same fundamental rights and freedoms as the rest of society and this enjoyment is guaranteed without discrimination.
The National Council for the Disabled will promote the rights of people with disabilities and in so doing emphasise the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant strategies of sustainable development, including Strategy 2017.
Contributed by
Hélène Maïche,
chairperson,
National Council for the Disabled on the occasion of the National Day for the Disabled, today