ARTICLE - DISABILITIES - LEGAL FRAMEWORK

STRENGTHENING OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
(Haiti Libre) -

Last week, the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with the Organization of American States (OAS), launched the program, "Strengthening of the Legal Framework for People with Disabilities in Haiti." The objective of this program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is to provide technical assistance to build capacity of the Haitian Government, to establish a regulatory framework and inclusive public policies, aimed at improving the living conditions of persons with disabilities. Gérald Oriol Jr., Secretary of State for the Integration of Disabled People, made ​​a speech on this occasion :

Speech of Gérald Oriol Jr. :
"Mr. Réginald Legros, Director of Cabinet of Minister of Social Affairs and Labour;
Mr. Deputy Director of USAID in Haiti;
Mr. Special Representative of the OAS in Haiti;
Madam Protector of Citizen;
Madam Head of Rehabilitation, Ministry of Public Health;
Madam Director of the Institute of Social Welfare;

Dear colleagues,
Distinguished guests,

The communication around international aid is not yet perfect. Announced policies that are perceived as promises; ... budgets committed over years, and the people imagine a sum of money suspended, which is not directly invested locally, but which serves to cover operating expenses and pay for staff coming from afar.

Today we have the opportunity to better understand how things work. Today, USAID marks the beginning of a broader program of support to our fellow citizens living with disabilities. This launch is the culmination of a process made ​​public 15 months ago. This period is almost a minimum for the gestation of a development program.

What is the content of this program ?

It is possible for us to create, strengthen or develop four much-needed elements.

- First the establishment or strengthening of multi-service centers for the disabled.

- Then, the training of health workers, including technicians able to conceive and install orthotics and prosthetics as well as physical therapists.

- Then, strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour through the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Disabled Persons, to accompany people with disabilities.

- Finally, a support to associations and local institutions working in the disability field.

The interest of this program is precisely to address the complex challenges faced by people with disabilities in general according to different approach angles, which are as many tools to reduce these difficulties.

I repeat, and this is obvious: all these aids will not eliminate the deficiencies, as they do not abolish the difficulty there is to live with a disability.

Yet, they have many merits, and I would like to present them.

First, they are an expression of social justice that the state must develop: by birth or other circumstances of life, an injustice affects people with disabilities. This injustice is often unavoidable and irreparable. Yet we have the power to prevent what is added to the human injustice that prevents people with disabilities to access public services, to find appropriate care, and, in short, to be recognized as citizens who must contribute to community life, and also receive the help of the community.

Moreover, by focusing on the fight against discrimination affecting persons with disabilities, these actions are struggling thereby against a stigma vis-à-vis the latter. This is how our entire society stands at a higher level both social and moral. This should help the awareness of other challenges, of other causes of stigma and other services to provide to the citizens.

More generally, these actions will allow disabled people, who will benefit to be better able to play their role as citizens, and fulfill their personal vocations. If our society can understand that disabled people are not a people diminished, but people seasoned with a fight requiring endurance, perseverance and hope, not least that of intelligence, it will understand that each person has its place and can make it grow. A society that knows and that grows itself.

You must understand, these programs will not only improve the situation of many of our fellow citizens living with disabilities. They will improve our society, with our efforts and with the grace of God.

Thank you !"

Gérald Oriol Jr.
Secretary of State for the Integration of Disabled People