Excerpt from Tribune 242: (click for entire article)
The number of disabled persons residing in The Bahamas is grossly under-reported according to global population averages.
Less that one per cent of the estimated population is registered with the Department of Social Services, according to Leonard Cargill, Chief Disability Affairs in the Department of Social Services, who underscored the widespread need for greater resources, and increased public and governmental conviction.
Mr Cargill also called for greater autonomy within the department to lessen bureaucratic service delays.
"In any given population, usually 10-15 per cent of the population is considered disabled," Mr Cargill said.
"Looking at our population, we're looking at 30,000 people. We try to capture every person in our registry, but we need some help in that regard to upkeep the registry."
"We are planning to do this legislation coming about soon," he said.
"There's a challenge in bringing about a feeling of the spirit of the legislation. If we're going to pass this legislation we ought to be serious about what we're doing now for persons with disabilities."
This week, disabled persons lashed out at the government's slow pace to enact legislation they hope will address long-standing inequalities.
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