Africa-Press – Mauritius. Government is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The Bill on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is currently being finalised at the level of the State Law Office and the primary aim is to provide persons with disabilities with the right framework to fulfill their potential, and give them access to all the facilities and resources they need, stated the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa- Daureeawoo.
She was speaking, this morning, at the opening of a workshop for representatives of various Ministries and Departments to discuss to raise awareness and provide further insight into the concept of disability mainstreaming at the Municipal Council of Beau Bassin/Rose Hill.
Disability rights, she underlined, is a cross cutting issue that concerns all Ministries, Government institutions, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisation and the public at large. She appealed for concerted efforts from all stakeholders so as to bring meaningful changes to the lives of these persons.
She recalled that Mauritius ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010 while adding that in an effort to promote the implementation of the UN Convention, a focal point on disability in all Ministries and Departments was put in place to assess the progress being made. Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo enumerated several Governmental measures put in place to improve the conditions and rights of persons with disabilities.
They include: increase in invalidity pension to Rs 9 000; provision of invalidity pension to children of all ages; amendment of Building Control Act in 2017 to ensure all new buildings cater for accessibility for persons with disabilities; construction of ramps in public buildings; and provision of disability-friendly modes of transport, such as the semi low-floor buses and the Metro Express.
As for the education sector, she pointed out that a Special Needs Education Authority was set up to facilitate the design and implementation of special education needs policies.
She indicated that presently some schools are equipped with ramps and handrails, as well as adapted toilets. Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo further listed out the measures implemented at the level of her Ministry to provide support to persons with disabilities on a day-to-day basis.
They comprise: reimbursement of bus fares for children attending specialised schools or day care centres and taxi fares for students enrolled in primary, secondary and tertiary education; free medical visits at home; 100% duty free on vehicles; reduced rates via Air Mauritius and provision of a cash grant for the purchase of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, glasses, or hearing aids.
She also underlined that consultancy services have been enlisted for the overall assessment of the disability sector in Mauritius and the elaboration of an action plan as well as the setting up of a monitoring and evaluating mechanism.
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