Caribbean Ministerial Conference On Disability

Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

May 11-13, 2004

The Invitation

The Governments of Jamaica and Barbados have jointly proposed to host a regional Ministerial Conference on Disability Issues.

All CARICOM member states were previously contacted as to the need for this conference, but earlier suggested dates did not materialize for varying reasons. As Ministers with responsibility for Disabilities in our respective Countries, we are now pleased to jointly invite you to attend the Caribbean Ministerial Conference on Disability which will be convened in Kingston during the period May 11-13, 2004 .

The aim of the Conference is to seek the commitment of Ministers responsible for disability issues to develop a coordinated approach and provide a common position on the Draft International Convention on Disability as well as to ensure that disability issues become a permanent part of the CARICOM agenda.

To this end therefore the proposed objectives of the Conference will be as follows:

(a) Situational Analysis of Persons with Disabilities in the Caribbean .

(b) Sharing of best practices on policies and programmes for Persons with Disabilities within CARICOM.

(c) Review of Draft text on International Convention for Persons with Disabilities to inform CARICOM position for meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Committee in May/June 2004 at the United Nations Headquarters.

(d) Formulation of CARICOM Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities, to be forwarded for consideration by the Heads of Government Summit in 2004 or 2005.

It is expected that significant benefits will be derived from the conference. These include:

i. Ensuring that disability issues are main-streamed in plans/programmes of respective ministries as well as relevant meetings of CARICOM, for example, the Council of Human, Social and Development (COHSOD)

ii. Developing linkages to resources and best practices in the region;

iii. Providing solutions to the problems/issues raised concerning Persons with Disabilities in the Caribbean .

Research has shown that there is limited data available on the prevalence of disabilities within the Caribbean and the related policies and programmes to address the needs of the disabled community. This dearth of information both quantitatively and qualitatively has hindered efforts in the planning, programming and evaluation of services and in resource development for Persons with Disabilities. In preparation for this Conference it is therefore proposed that a situational analysis be prepared on disability issues in the region, reflecting country specific data. In this regard, a Questionnaire has been developed for completion by the relevant officers having responsibility for disability issues in the respective CARICOM states. The responses received will form a critical part of the technical background paper being prepared for presentation at the conference.

As part of the programme of activities for the conference, a field trip is planned for Tuesday May 11, 2004 to view some of the developments taking place in Jamaica. A selection of places of interest is indicated in an attached brochure. All members of delegations attending the conference are invited to participate in the field trip and should therefore plan to arrive in Kingston by the afternoon of Monday, May 10, 2004 .

In addition, it would be interesting if each country could provide items for an exhibition during the Conference, the details of which will be further communicated.

Efforts are also being made to include in the conference, representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat and relevant International Institutions such as the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), as well as Disability Organisations in the voluntary sector. This will ensure broad participation to enrich the proceedings.

Forwarded for your perusal is a copy of the United Nations Draft Comprehensive International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities which will be an integral part of our discussions at the conference.

The draft Conference programme is also attached for review. Please submit to us any items or issues you would wish to be included on the agenda, taking into account the limited time available for our deliberations.

In order to facilitate the planning process for the conference, kindly indicate your response to this invitation as soon as possible. Registration forms for each member of your country’s delegation and completed Questionnaires should be submitted not later than April 20, 2004 .

The Government of Jamaica will be responsible for providing Conference facilities and local transportation for the meeting but each country will be responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the cost of attendance, i.e. airfare, accommodation and per diem.

We anticipate a very rewarding conference that will serve as an impetus to the promotion of disability issues regionally and contribute meaningfully to the current process in the United Nations for the elaboration of an international convention on disability.

Yours faithfully,

Honourable Hamilton Lashley

Minister of Social Transformation

Barbados

Senator Hon. Floyd Morris

Minister of State

Labour and Social Security

Jamaica

The Questionnaire

To be completed by the Technical Officer with responsibility for Disability

What is the total number of persons with disabilities in your country based on the last population census?

If data is not available from the census, please state the source of the data.

What is the percentage of the general population with a disability?

Is there a national policy on disability?

Yes No

If not, are you in the process of developing one and what stage is it?

What is the definition of disability used in your country?

What is the nature of the legislation on disability?

Is there legislation (e.g. a Disability Act) that protects the rights of persons with disabilities?

Yes No

Is your country signatory to:

Yes No

( i) United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities resolution

and/or

(ii) ILO Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation.

(iii) OAS Inter-American Convention on the Elimination on all Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with

Disabilities.

(iv) Any Other Convention relating to disability (Please specify).

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Is there a law in your country that states that a person with a disability cannot be discriminated against in on the basis of his/her disability?

Yes No

Has your government issued a statement in support of the creation of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

Yes No

Is special education training offered in teacher training colleges or elsewhere in your country?

Yes No

Is there a special education i.e. academic training for the disabled, programme in your country?

Yes No

Is there Braille or large print textbook service available in your country?

Yes No

Does the national library provide materials in alternative formats (e.g. Braille,

audio cassette, large print, electronic)?

Yes No

Is the national news captioned for hearing-impaired viewers?

Yes No

Is sign language available for national events?

Yes No

Is there a disaster plan for persons with disabilities in times of emergency?

Yes No

Is there a method or strategy for people with speech impediments or hearing impairments to communicate with authorities in case of natural disaster, civil emergency or criminal assault?

Yes No

Are there government-funded rehabilitation services available for disabled people in your country

Yes No

Are there provisions for housing or other public assistance for persons with disabilities?

Yes No

If ‘yes’ State the nature of the assistance given.

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Is the transportation system in your country wheelchair accessible?

Yes No

To what extent are public buildings accessible?

Yes No

Is there a national building code with regulations stating that buildings and facilities must be accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes No

Is there a national coordinating organization that is responsible for the development and implementation of disability policy? If “yes” give examples.

Yes No

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Do persons with disabilities have the right to vote?

Yes No

Are voting booths accessible?

Yes No

If ‘No’ are there facilities in places to accommodate them?

Are there any programmes in place for persons with disabilities?

Yes No

If ‘Yes’ please specify---------------------------------------------

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State the role and involvement of disabled persons in the formulation and implementation of national programmes

and policies on disability.

TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY APRIL 16, 2004 TO THE FOLLOWING:

Faith Innerarity

Fax: (876) 924-9639

Fax: (876) 924-9639

E-mail: finnerarity@mlssgov-jm..com

Draft Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilitieswill be posted soon.

The Agenda

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Monday, 10^th May, 2004

Arrival of Participants

Tuesday 11^th May, 2004

Field Trips

Wednesday, 12^th May, 2004

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break

Session 1

Situational Analysis - Persons with disabilities in the Caribbean

11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Presentation of Background Paper

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. General Discussion

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch

Session II

Sharing of Best Practices

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Jamaican Experience

2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Barbados - To be confirmed

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Grenada - To be confirmed

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. St. Lucia - To be confirmed

4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Trinidad - To be confirmed

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Summary

Thursday, 13^th May, 2004

Session III

International Convention on Disability

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Overview of process and draft Convention – representative UNDESA

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. General Discussion

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break

Session IV

11::00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Workshop Groups on various aspects of Convention

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Plenary - Workshop Group Reports

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch

Final Session

CARICOM Plan of Action on Disability

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Introduction of Draft CARICOM Action Plan

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Discussion of Action Plan

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Next Steps