State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
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I would like to be confident that when I graduate and look for a<br />
job, I will not be discriminated against because <strong>of</strong> my disability,<br />
but instead be recognized for my abilities, qualifications and<br />
potential.<br />
complete curriculum for students<br />
with disabilities, to help<br />
to develop <strong>the</strong>ir minds and give<br />
<strong>the</strong>m opportunities to achieve<br />
academic excellence. Many<br />
children and young people with<br />
disabilities want to go on to<br />
higher education, so it is very<br />
important that <strong>the</strong>y be included<br />
in schools and o<strong>the</strong>r learning<br />
institutions and given <strong>the</strong> same<br />
options as o<strong>the</strong>r students in<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> choosing courses and<br />
activities. It is up to educational<br />
institutions and governments<br />
to accommodate and support<br />
students like me, so that we are<br />
able to pursue <strong>the</strong> education<br />
we need to achieve whatever<br />
goals we may have.<br />
Accommodating children and<br />
young people with disabilities<br />
includes things like adjusting<br />
<strong>the</strong> entry requirements and<br />
criteria for passing, and making<br />
sure that learning materials,<br />
examinations and class<br />
schedules take our needs into<br />
account. Teachers need to be<br />
properly trained and given a<br />
chance to pursue additional<br />
overseas instruction in order<br />
to improve <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> education.<br />
Schools should teach<br />
Braille and o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> communication<br />
where necessary,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>re is also a great need<br />
for special equipment, which<br />
many schools in Guyana do<br />
not have. Making educational<br />
institutions disability-friendly<br />
also means setting up facilities<br />
and transportation services that<br />
persons with disabilities can<br />
use; <strong>the</strong>re should be ramps for<br />
wheelchair users, accessible<br />
toilets and elevators for people<br />
who cannot take <strong>the</strong> stairs. All<br />
aspects and all levels <strong>of</strong> education,<br />
from elementary school<br />
to university, need to be made<br />
accessible.<br />
The ministries for education<br />
and public service should also<br />
work toge<strong>the</strong>r to assist academically<br />
inclined students<br />
with disabilities who wish to<br />
go beyond secondary school.<br />
Because financial difficulties<br />
are a major reason why young<br />
people with disabilities are<br />
unable to continue <strong>the</strong>ir education,<br />
this assistance should<br />
include grants, loans and<br />
scholarships.<br />
Governments also need to<br />
make sure that education<br />
opens <strong>the</strong> same doors for students<br />
with disabilities as for<br />
everybody else. My parents<br />
have put in a lot <strong>of</strong> effort and<br />
more money than <strong>the</strong>y can<br />
really afford to help me to get<br />
through school and to university<br />
– and now I am working<br />
hard, in spite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> challenges,<br />
to come to classes and learn,<br />
because I know that is what I<br />
need to do to get <strong>the</strong> best out<br />
<strong>of</strong> life. So I would also like to<br />
be confident that when I graduate<br />
and look for a job, I will<br />
not be discriminated against<br />
because <strong>of</strong> my disability, but<br />
instead be recognized for my<br />
abilities, qualifications and<br />
potential. As a young person<br />
with a disability who has<br />
worked hard to educate herself,<br />
I deserve as much as anyone<br />
else <strong>the</strong> opportunity to fulfill<br />
my dreams, make a good living<br />
for myself and contribute<br />
to our society.<br />
AN AGENDA FOR ACTION<br />
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