Social Development Ministry holds discussions with UN, US Embassy and civil bodies for disability affairs

 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO:  April 8, 2016: On Monday April 4, 2016, Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn joined by Permanent Secretary, Jacinta Bailey-Sobers, UN Resident Coordinator, Richard Blewitt, International Disability Rights Lawyer, Allison Franco, US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Steve Weekes, Consortium of Disability Organizations President, Bhawani Persad, and Technical Officers from the Ministry’s Social Welfare, Disability Affairs and Non-Governmental Organization Units, for discussion on a collaborative initiative in support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s implementation of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
 
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry’s Head Office located at St Vincent Street Port of Spain, focused on how the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, through its Disability Affairs Unit could collaborate with the UNDP, US Embassy, Consortium of Disability Organizations and other civil society organizations to ensure and promote the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities.
 
Stakeholders at the meeting discussed the establishment of the national register of persons with disabilities, the efforts by Government to ensure access in accordance with the said Convention and high priority government initiatives related to the information of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
 
Minister Crichlow-Cockburn speaking with attendees expressed her readiness to working with all bodies to ensure legislative, administrative and other measures are issued for the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Photo Caption: (L-R) US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Steve Weekes; Coordinator of the NGO Unit, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Ann-Marie-Quammie-Alleyne; Consortium of Disability Organizations, President Bhawani Persad; UN Resident Coordinator, Richard Blewitt; Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn; International Disability Rights Lawyer, Allison Franco; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Jacinta Bailey-Sobers; Disability Affairs Coordinator, Catherine Ferreira; and Social Welfare Director, Vijay Gangapersad. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services)