On my behalf. Thanks to all who contributed
Maria
NEWS RELEASE
TODAY'S PRIME MINISTERIAL ACTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 29, 2003
MEDIA CONTACT: MONIQUE ST. CYR, 622-1625, EXTENSION 3416
Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, held
successful discussions with Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of
Disabled Peoples' International - White Hall, August 28, 2003
This morning, Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and
Tobago met with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled
Peoples' International (TTDPI). Also in attendance at the meeting were the
Honourable Minister Christine Kangaloo, Minister in the Office of the Prime
Minister, responsible for Social Services Delivery, Mr. George Daniel,
Chairman of TTDPI, Dr. Emmanuel Hosein, 1st Vice Chairman of TTDPI, Mr.
Lincoln Mayers, Mr. Harrylal Singh, Mr. Michael Fraser and Ms. Francis
Ollivere - all of the TTDPI.
The meeting was described as "successful" by both the Honourable Prime
Minister and the Executive of the TTDPI, as it facilitated the much needed
discourse on the needs of the differently-abled citizens of Trinidad and
Tobago, and brought to an end the advocacy action of the organization.
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Prime Minister Patrick Manning emphasized to the TTDPI members that the
Government is sensitive to the legitimate aspirations of the
differently-abled and will ensure that there is consultation with the
differently-abled in the formulation of all policies that directly impact
their quality of life.
The Honourable Prime Minister made a commitment to appoint a team that will
collaborate with all of the differently-abled organizations in Trinidad and
Tobago in the process of policy formulation for the 2004 Budget. The Prime
Minister also undertook to seek meaningful employment opportunities, within
a week, for Antonio Diaz and Devon Garraway - the two-differently-abled
persons who were at the center of the TTDPI's advocacy action outside of the
National Flour Mills.
The Prime Minister assured the TTDPI that all State Enterprises will be
encouraged to implement employment policies for the differently-abled and
that Government will give serious consideration to the proposals submitted
by the TTDPI. Included in these proposals are increases in the Disability
Grant and in the annual subvention to the National Centre for Persons with
Disabilities (NCPD).
Yesterday, Cabinet approved the provision of a one-off grant in the sum of
$376, 607.81 to enable the NCPD to meet its projected expenditure for the
period - July to September 2003.
According to the Honourable Prime Minister, "the advocacy of the TTDPI has
succeeded in bringing to the attention of policy makers, the need to consult
with the differently-abled in policy making and, therefore, a new chapter
has opened in policy making in this country, in which the differently-abled
will be directly involved in the formulation of those policies that directly
impact their quality of life. We can now look forward to a meaningful and
cordial relationship with the TTDPI."
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