7.2. Accommodating Needs of Children with Disabilities

Children with a disability will be assisted to reach their full potential and have the same opportunities as all other children to have active and valued participation in home and community life.

To develop and implement integrated, comprehensive community programmes and projects that will allow the maximum number of children with disabilities to remain in the community, while providing essential care for the more severely disabled children in specialised Centres.

1. To formalise a permanent body to ensure effective and efficient coordination and collaboration between ministries, organisations, people with disabilities, their families and civil society in implementing the National Strategy.
2. To promote and facilitate awareness-raising programmes for ministry personnel, community leaders, people with disabilities, their families and rehabilitation personnel.
3. To facilitate the training of Carers (families, group home Carers, commmunity workers, medical personnel) of children with disabilities.
4. To assist in the establishment of a pilot specialised Centre for children with severe disabilities which links training, liaison with medical facilities, and community-based services.
5. To undertake further research to identify factors that contribute to or constrain / prevent children with disabilities remaining in homes in the community, and to provide recommendations for future sustainable development.