The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has released its 2025–2030 Disability Manifesto, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to enhance the rights, independence, and inclusion of persons with disabilities across Guyana.The manifesto was developed in consultation with over 20 Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, disability experts, and the wider disabled community. It serves as both a call to action and a strategic guide for the incoming government.The manifesto outlines clear expectations in key areas including education, employment, accessibility, and financial support, among others.A central feature of the manifesto is the call for an updated Special Education Needs (SEN) policy by 2027, with regional adaptations across all ten administrative regions. The policy should provide for:* Integration of children with disabilities into mainstream schools* Deployment of assistive technologies* Provision of in-class support like teacher aides and cultural facilitators* Clear pathways for SEN teachers to grow within the education sectorAdditionally, GCOPD urges the government to establish resource rooms in schools with at least three children with disabilities and to provide accessible transportation to ensure school attendance.The manifesto also outlined the development and implementation of a policy to facilitate early identification, intervention, and treatment of persons with disabilities using a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach, with a framework for collaboration to facilitate lifelong intervention and treatment.Another standout proposal is the introduction of a 5% public sector employment quota for qualified persons with disabilities. To this end, the manifesto recommends:* Incentives for private sector employers* Construction of business centers for persons with disabilities in Regions 2, 3, 4, and 10* Interest-free loans of up to $1 million GYD via the Small Business Bureau* Yearly grants and tax exemptions for disabled entrepreneursTo support independent living and financial security, the manifesto proposes:* Increasing the permanent disability grant to at least 50% of the minimum wage, with yearly adjustments* Electricity and water subsidies similar to those provided to pensioners* Free house lots for persons with disabilities earning under $100,000/month* Housing grants for low-income individuals to build or renovate homes* The government, through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), should remove individual income and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes from persons with disabilities earning below two million four hundred thousand dollars ($2,400,000) per yearTo ensure full participation in society, the manifesto demands enforcement of the Guyana Disability Act (2010) through:* Modification of building codes to align with international accessibility standards* Accessible public information via sign language, Braille, and audio formats* Compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)* Implementation of an accessible transportation system for mobility across GuyanaThe manifesto also emphasises the need for assistive technologies and rehabilitation counselling to support independent living.GCOPD urges the development of disability-inclusive sports and recreational programmes, and a review of the Disability Act (2010) to strengthen legal enforcement. It also calls for updates to electoral laws to allow independent voting access and for inclusive disaster preparedness and response planning.The post Inclusion and equal opportunities for persons living with disabilities outlined in GCOPD 2025-2030 Disability Manifesto appeared first on News Room Guyana.