By Rayon Lakingu – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Department for Community Development and Religion today launched the disability grant guidelines to support persons living with disability (PLWDs). The disability grant guideline is to facilitate inclusion and equality to persons living with disability. Speaking at the launching, Community Development Acting Deputy, Secretary Joe Itaki, said under this guideline, service providers for persons living with disability can now secure funds for PLWDs from the government.
The launching of the disability grant guidelines coincides with the National Disability Day which was also celebrated today. The launching saw all persons living with disability present to witness this exciting event.
Community Development Acting Deputy Secretary, stated that this year’s theme for the National Disability Day focuses on empowering PLWDs for an inclusive and equity and leaving no one behind.
The Disability Grant Guidelines will serve as an opportunity for PLWDs service providers to secure funding from the government to help PLWDs.
“Through the policy, the PNG Assembly for Disabled Persons and National Board for Disabled Person will become facilitators. From the service providers, to the umbrella bodies and they will facilitate straight to the department so the department can release funds straight to the PLWDs.” Acting Deputy Secretary, Joe Itaki said.
He said the Government has been providing disability grants since 2008; however, it has not been effective and stopped in the year 2012, and with the launching of the disability grants guideline today, the program will be effective as of this year.
He said the disability grants guidelines is aligned with the National Disability Policy that was launched in 2015. Mr Itaki also added that the department also has plans to reach out to all districts through the District Community Development Centres that will be built in all districts in the country.
“Where the District Community Development Centre or DCDC is, a disability office will be there also, so services in relation to disabilities are now brought closer to the districts,” Itaki said.
