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International Day of Persons with Disabilities President celebrates with persons with disabilities |04 December 2019

International Day of Persons with Disabilities     President celebrates with persons with disabilities

President Faure and Minister Larue interacting with the special guests (Photo: Joena Meme)

President Danny Faure joined a number of Seychellois living with disabilities during a special ceremony hosted at State House yesterday morning to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The president’s special guests hailed from each districts across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

The United Nations (UN) recognised day is observed in countries across the globe every December 3. As a UN recognised day, World Disability Day aims at increasing public awareness, understanding and accepting people with disability and celebrating their achievements and contributions.

This year’s theme, ‘Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda’, focuses on the empowerment of disabled persons and their inclusivity in the society.

It is the first time that State House organises a reception to honour and celebrate disabled persons in the country on the occasion of their day.

Also gracing the reception yesterday were the Minister for Family Affairs Mitcy Larue, principal secretary for social affairs Linda William-Melanie, principal secretary for family affairs Marie-Josée Bonne, chief executive of the Agency for Social Protection (ASP) and chairman of the National Council for the Disabled (NCFD) Marcus Simeon and the chairperson of the Association for Disabled Persons Jourdanne Ernesta.

The ambience started off on a high note with a beautiful song, ‘En Zoli Zour’, sang by the young Auria Barbé, who is blind.

In his speech to mark the occasion, Mr Simeon noted that the ceremony underlines the government’s commitment towards promoting the rights of disabled persons.

“We nonetheless recognise that we have a long way to go to actually remove barriers such as stigmatisation by some in the society and problems with accessibility. It is necessary to improve and upgrade our services for now and the years to come,” said Mr Simeon.

On her part, Minister Larue spoke of the many achievements made in regards to the care and status of disabled persons in Seychelles since the country ratified the international human rights treaty, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10 years ago.

Thus far, they have benefitted from the introduction of an inclusivity policy in the education sector, which even predates the ratification of the convention; access to education through the School for the Exceptional Child, vocational centre and mainstream schools; increased access to employment and the recent revision of the Towns and Country Act which ensures that building and infrastructure ease the lives of disabled persons.

Seychellois citizens who live with disability also avail of a monthly financial benefit of R5,200 through the ASP, and which Minister Larue noted will increase to R5750 as from January 2020.

Minister Larue revealed that her ministry will be signing a memorandum of understanding on December 6 with La Réunion’s ALEFPA, ‘Association laïque pour l’éducation, la prévention et l’autonomie’, an organisation which works closely with and for persons living with disabilities to help them become more independent.

“Our government’s fundamental principle is built around social justice, equality, opportunity and having its people at the centre of development,” Minister Larue stated.

“We can make this happen when all parents become more proactive and encourage their children with disabilities to participate in activities that they enjoy, be it on a district or national level. Do not leave them in the house,” the minister also urged.

The reception also included a song, ‘Nou fyer ki nou ete’, an original song written and performed by Ebrahim Dodin, who wrote it as the theme song for the Association for Disabled Persons.

Ebrahim took the opportunity to present both President Faure and Minister Larue with copies of his lyrics.

Geraldine Rose, who was celebrating her birthday, also received a gift from President Faure as well as a birthday dance.

All of the guests were happy to interact with the president and government officials until midday.

 

Elsie Pointe

 

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