DILI, 08 january 2023 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Disability Association (ADTL) urges the government to implement the National Action Plan for people with disabilities in order to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the country.
The National Policy for the Inclusion and Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities was approved by the Council of Ministers through the Government Resolution No. 14/2012 of May 9 2012.
ADTL Executive Director, Cesario Silva said that in order to ensure the implementation of the strategies provided in this policy, each governmental department and State agency must include in its annual action plan, activities to promote the rights of people with disabilities and an annual budget for this purpose.
He said that so far government ministries have implemented the action plan, but that it has had little effect and urged the government to do more to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
“Government ministries should allocate budget for the implementation of the action plan in order to help people with disabilities to have access to a good education, health care, etc.,” said Silva.
The 2022 Population and Housing Census registered 93,000 people with disabilities. Of this number, more than 17,000 are the most vulnerable.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
