Today [Dec 3] is International Day of Persons with Disabilities/Civil service wears yellow
Turning Yellow for International Disability Day
Dressed in yellow, members of various civil service departments were joined by students and teachers from the Lighthouse School to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, 3rd December 2015.
The group gathered on the steps of the Government Administration Building to promote inclusion for persons of all abilities.
Members wore yellow clothing to highlight the international event.
“We, in the civil service, were pleased to take part in this special day to show that we are committed to seeing an inclusive policy for people of all abilities here in the Cayman Islands,” said Acting Deputy Governor Stran Bodden, who took part in the photo opportunity.
Last year, the government approved the Cayman Islands Disability Policy as a precursor to the establishment of legislation to protect the rights of people with disabilities,
A bill is expected to go out for public consultation in the near future.
From Cayman Islands Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin
Today the world over is commemorating ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ under the theme – Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities.
It is important to note that all of us either are or will become disabled to one degree or another during the course of our lives. My Government recognises and takes seriously the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and their families in the Cayman Islands. To this end, last year the Government approved the Cayman Islands Disability Policy as a precursor to the establishment of needed legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. I am pleased to inform that a Consultation Draft Disabilities Bill will soon be out for public consultation.
Often, the societal image of persons with disabilities is impacted by attitudes based on stigma and discrimination, as well as archaic ideas about disability and persons with disabilities that are often the greatest barrier to their full and equal participation in society and development on an equal basis with others. Persons with disabilities must be enabled to fulfil their role in society and participate on an equal basis with others. To this end, it is important to focus on the ability and not on the disability of an individual.
The right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies, active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society. The estimated 1 billion people living with disabilities worldwide face barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society. As a result, people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others, which includes areas of transportation, employment, and education as well as social and political participation.
In conclusion, let us today recommit ourselves to a more inclusive society, one that embraces the Disability Policy’s vision of ensuring persons with disabilities live with dignity, are respected, and have the opportunity to participate fully in society.
