A voice for persons with disabilities

Young Voices is a global campaign in approximately 21 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. It works to increase the capacity for active citizenship, by working with disabled young people to develop their understanding of human rights and advocacy, as well as develop potential leaders in the disability field with campaigning, advocacy, and media skills.
This global project, which campaigns for countries to sign, ratify, and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), came into force in 2008.

Youths in this global network are learning how to organise themselves. Through interacting with their peers, engaging in advocacy and producing films, radio programmes, and theatrical productions, young people with disabilities have the chance to share their experiences, to speak out against discrimination, and to influence government decisions that impact on their lives. Those with disabilities meet to share their experiences, plan, and execute campaigns and push for ratification of the convention with senior politicians.
The local chapter, Young Voices Guyana (YVG), is the only such group in the Caribbean/Latin America. Members meet twice a month in Georgetown, to explore and plan advocacy activities. These include study, workshops and training in human rights, disability issues and reaching out to other people with and without disabilities.
Since its inception in April 2008, Young Voices Guyana has been making a name for itself on both a global and local level.  In 2008, a representative of the local chapter received training in the making of short films, during a Global Young Voices Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  That workshop provided the technical expertise and equipment needed to create a short film, entitled “Determination”.  The film featured the struggles of four members of the group to overcome obstacles relating to their individual disabilities.
Additionally, four members of YVG attended the Commonwealth Youth Forum 7 (CYF) held in Trinidad & Tobago in 2009.  Members were tasked with introducing the aspect of disability in discussions where possible, and with getting disability mentioned within the finished communiqué, to be submitted for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.  It was the first time young persons with disabilities (PWDS) were represented at a CYF, which made quite an impact.
Locally, Young Voices Guyana has thrown itself into the disability community with enthusiasm.  In February 2009, it conducted a three day empowerment camp for young PWDS.  It has also been active in participating as well as conducting workshops on media, organizational development, human rights, sensitization on the Disability Act 2010, HIV/AIDS, and in campaigning and collaborating with other local organisations, such as United Action during their 2009 ‘Right to Ride’ minibus campaign.
Over the years, YVG has had many successes. One of which is being part of the movement advocating for the passing of the Guyana PWD Act 2010 in Parliament. The groups have also conducted many sensitisation campaigns with schools educating the students on the rights of PWDS. The group has also held many meetings with government ministers, lobbying for the implementation of the Guyana PWD Act and also for Guyana to ratify the UNCRPD, which Guyana signed in 2008.
Young Voices Guyana seeks to bring about positive social change and endeavours to help young PWDS realise their full potential.  Now there are YVG groups in Berbice, Linden, and Georgetown conducting workshops for their members in the areas of advocacy, capacity building, and public speaking, among many others.
Although its members have various disabilities including blindness, physical disability, deaf and intellectual disability, they are determined not to be deterred by them and are persistent in advocating for their rights.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, 19-year-old Rosemarie Ramitt, who is visually impaired, stated she joined YVG in 2011, and enjoys being with the group because it helps to build her self-esteem and confidence.
“The workshops are very important because they build our self-esteem. People would look at us as if we’re worthless, and this can sometime dampen our spirit. Being involved in these workshops has really helped me to be confident and see beyond my disability. It is also fun because we get to go on trips and engage in recreational activities,” Rosemarie noted.
YVG country facilitator/coordinator Ganesh Singh, who is totally blind, pointed out that the groups from Berbice, Linden and Georgetown work tirelessly in advocating for their rights. Last year, a major activity was the sensitisation campaign involving bus drivers and conductors. The groups distributed promotional CDs with disability awareness messages to various bus parks.
“A popular DJ voiced the messages and was very effective in getting the public to listen. The bus drivers and conductors were very supportive. We are currently doing a school sensitisation campaign in Linden, New Amsterdam and East Bank where we are going into schools teaching children about the rights of persons with disabilities. We also have a campaign where we meet with various policy makers and government ministers. We have written to about five of them and have met with the Minister of Sports and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both have shown their commitment to what we are doing. We are also continuously having our capacity building activities for the members and skills development camp, teaching members advocacy skills for themselves and others with disabilities. Members also get the opportunity to travel to other countries to attend conferences. I am encouraging those with disabilities to seek out opportunities to get involved,” Singh urged.
For more information on YVG call Ganesh Singh on 226-4496 or 668-5279.