The government remains committed to boost the implementation of the Seychelles’ National Framework for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through proper and efficient networking with all ministries, department and agencies involved, Principal Secretary for the Family Department Clive Roucou has said.

PS Roucou made the statement while giving feedbacks in reference to the Disability Rights Needs Assessment report submitted by the Commonwealth secretariat Human Right Unit this year, following their visit in the Seychelles.

It was earlier this year, precisely in March, that the Commonwealth secretariat’s Human Rights Unit met with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, other partner ministries, the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps), non-governmental organisations and other partners in order to better understand the existing capacities and resource for the person living with disability, and also to identify specific needs to better provide support and comprehensive impact within the Seychellois context.

Following the meeting the Commonwealth secretariat’s Human Rights Unit submitted a Needs Assessment Report based on the Seychelles National Framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The report provides background on the government’s request to the Commonwealth secretariat for assistance to strengthen national implementation efforts in relation to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and also identifies gaps and areas in which further action is needed to ensure full compliance with the CRPD, specific recommendations for immediate and long term action for government.

It also sets out recommendations, action and timelines for future Commonwealth secretariat support.

PS Roucou explained that based on the report, there are still a lot of areas that needs to be tackled in regards to the issue of people with disabilities in the country, while the Commonwealth pledged its full support in helping Seychelles to set up the framework, both in terms of logistics and education.

He said the Family department is fully engaged is working in close collaboration with the Commonwealth, through discussion to see the better way forward in addressing the issue.

He added that, also in partnership with local partners, including the Police Force, the Planning Authority among others, his department remains committed in coming up with solutions to ease the life of those living with a disability.

According to PS Roucou, one of the areas which need urgent attention is in regard to assistive devices, whereby, based on the report, stakeholders recognised that assistive devices and technologies are vital for many persons with disabilities to participate in society on an equal basis with others but indicated that their availability and use remain a persistent challenge.

However, the report further stated that according to the stakeholders consulted, particularly civil society stakeholders, information and knowledge about assistive devices and how to obtain them is not widespread among persons with disabilities and their families, while stakeholders also noted that assistive devices are unregulated, expensive and often procured from overseas on a small scale in an ad hoc manner.

Additionally, there is no central register of assistive device suppliers which results in ministries and departments devoting time to researching where to procure appropriate assistive devices and technologies.

The Commonwealth reports recommended that the government should develop and adopt a uniform set of guidelines for the appropriate provision, procurement and distribution of assistive devices and technologies, including standards for training and certification.

Based on that, PS Roucou explained that consultation within this area is already in progress, and that it has been agreed that all future buildings – in town area – will be equipped with assistive devices, including ramps for wheelchairs and lifts to ease access for people with disabilities.

He added that discussion is also in progress regarding the setting up of parking spaces for the disabled.

The report also recommends that as the lead department for disability related matters, the Elderly and Disabled Division should develop a strategic plan to guide its policy and programmes over the coming years, while across ministries and departments, commence outreach to key stakeholders, particularly persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. Something which PS Roucou said is already in progress.

It has also been recommended that going forward; the government should ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in all processes, including policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, while consultation should be undertaken with both the Seychelles Human Rights Commission and the office of the Ombudsman to clarify their roles and responsibilities relating to oversight of the CRPD, including discussions around legislative reform.

In terms of inter-ministerial liaison, PS Roucou said his department is already in consultation with several other partner ministries, especially with the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs where a re-skilling programme is already in place to boost the life skills abilities of Vocational Training Centre (VTC) leavers with specific skills which will enable them to formerly be absorbed into the local employment market.

This, he said, other than boosting the confidence of those individuals, it will also help to reduce their dependency on social welfare.

PS Roucou also urged everyone to interact more effectively with, and be more sensitive to people with disabilities.

Source: Seychelles Nation