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#TheBahamas May 13, 2020 Officials at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and its Secretariat, and the Disability Affairs Division of the Department of Social Services, have been diligently working hand-in-hand to ensure that both the needs of regular and new clients who are persons with disabilities are being addressed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The collaboration is part of the Ministryof Social Services and Urban Developments continued efforts to ensure that allof its human and other resources are brought to bear in the delivery of socialassistance.

Provisions have been made for personswith disabilities who are not clients of the Department, to provide theirinformation via telephone to the Social Workers at the Disability AffairsDivision so that they can receive Emergency Food Assistance. They are requiredto show their IDs upon collection. Persons with disabilities can contact theDisability Affairs Division at telephone: 325-2251/2 for assistance.

Officials at the Disability AffairsDivision have also collaborated with The Bahamas Red Cross to ensure thatpersons with disabilities are part of the Red Cross Meals on Wheels Programme.

Meanwhile, officials at the NationalCommission for Persons with Disabilities, and its Secretariat, have establisheda 24hr call and whats app line at 376-8328 as part of the measures it hasimplemented to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are being metand with a view of bringing any outstanding matters to a speedy resolution.

Persons with disabilities can alsoregister online through the Ministrys link on the governments website:www.bahamas.gov.bs. They may also email the Disabilities Commission at Disabilitiescommission@bahamas.gov.bs,or register online at the website: http://www.disabilitiescommissionbahamas.orgor visit the Commissions Facebook Page at disabilitiescommission242.

The Commission and itsSecretariat have also been liaising with the relevant Non-GovernmentalOrganizations to ensure that persons with disabilities have sufficient food,medical supplies, and protective equipment to ensure their safety andprotection during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Other initiatives haveincluded working closely with members of the Blind Community and theAssociation of Banking and Clearing Houses in The Bahamas to enhance andimprove members of the communitys banking experience, and ensuring that personswith disabilities have access to, and receive the benefits and assistance duethem, and that they remain safe, protected and have the necessary items fortheir continued well-being.

Additionally, they have ensured that personswith disabilities who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have access to informationbeing disseminated from the media through the participation of a SignInterpreter on all national broadcasts and have assisted persons withdisabilities and other able-bodied persons toobtain wheelchairs byliaising with The Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled.

Administrators have updated the National Commission for Persons with Disabilitieswebsite to reflect information relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic; answered and responded to emails from family members/persons with disabilities concerns relative to COVID-19, all while performing the general administrative duties of The Secretariat by assisting the fifteen Commissioners of The NCPD who ensure that the Provisions contained in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Bill, 2014 are adhered to.

BIS News by Matt Maura

Read more:

Bahamas Social Agencies work 'hand-in-hand' to ensure access for the Disabled - Magnetic Media