CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability Calls for Special Considerations for Persons with Disabilities During and After COVID Pandemic in the Caribbean

The CARICOM
Special Rapporteur on Disability, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is calling upon
regional governments and members of the private sector, to give special
consideration to persons with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Senator Dr. Floyd Morris: “Regional governments and private sector
companies have been forced to make significant adjustments to the services they
offer to the public and special consideration should be given to persons with
disabilities.”

The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability has issued a ten point protocol for governments to consider for persons with disabilities who might contract the COVID-19. Senator Dr. Floyd Morris says: “Persons with disabilities are extremely vulnerable to this disease and special considerations must be given to them and their caregivers if anyone of them should contract COVID-19.”

Senator Dr.
Floyd Morris has also taken note that governments have been offering a plethora
of support to citizens across the region and is commending them for their
efforts. However, according to the CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability:
“Due consideration must be given to the fact that most persons with
disabilities are among the neediest in society and they do not have the financial
means to purchase some of the basic necessities during an unexpected crisis
such as that brought on by COVID-19. Therefore, priority must be given to
persons with disabilities and their families.”

As it
relates to the private sector, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is making a special
appeal for: “Ensure that your services are accessible and inclusive of persons
with disabilities. Banks for example, must ensure that their online systems are
accessible both in hardware and software for members of this vulnerable
community.”

The CARICOM
Special Rapporteur on Disability has cited some future opportunities for
persons with disabilities emanating from the COVID crisis. According to Senator
Dr. Floyd Morris, “I have seen a number of governments and private sector
companies implementing work from home initiatives. This is a welcoming trend as
advocates for persons with disabilities have been placing such an option on the
table as a means of addressing the chronic unemployment problem facing members
of this vulnerable community in the Caribbean.”

The CARICOM
Special Rapporteur on Disability says: “It is obvious that in the post-COVID-19
environment, technology will be driving production and productivity. Persons
with disabilities must be included in this trajectory as it is an effective way
of dealing with some of the accessibility issues relating to physical locations
for persons with some types of disabilities.”

Based on the 2011 World Health Organization Report on Persons with Disabilities, there is an estimated 1 million persons with disabilities living in CARICOM countries.

Please see Guidelines:

CORONAVIRUS and Disabilities

THINGS TO KNOW AND DO WHEN DEALING WITH A PERSON WITH DISABILITY WHO HAS CONTRACTED THE CORONAVIRUS

Contact:

Senator Dr.
Floyd Morris

CARICOM
Special Rapporteur on Disability

Telephone:
876 322 0301

E-mail:
morrisfloyd@gmail.com