At the end of this year, a new law is expected to be in place to promote and protect the rights of people living with disabilities.This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who whilst addressing a gathering at a “Write shop on Developing Disability Awareness Messages”, noted that the new law will also address the issue of stigmatization and discrimination against persons living with disabilities.The draft law is currently with the Ministry of Health,Cheap Jerseys, and over the next several weeks, will engage the Cabinet subcommittee.The draft document will be submitted for parliamentary action for a session which is slated to commence in October.?At the two-day workshop, which commenced yesterday,Wholesale Jerseys, Dr Ramsammy urged that persons with disabilities need to take the lead in ensuring that the public’s attitude is changed towards them.One way to do this,Wholesale NFL Jerseys Authentic, he said, is to ensure that they portray and develop a positive image.At the World Health Assembly, which was held in May of this year, Dr Ramsammy said that he insisted that the assembly place disability firmly on the developmental agenda and that it also be a priority on the health schedule.“It’s a major health issue and I believe that the global and national agenda on development has neglected disability and it is high time that we correct that gap,” Dr Ramsammy said.Although progress has been made both nationally and globally, people living with disabilities still do not have the same rights and do not enjoy the same privileges as any other ordinary citizens.In this regard, the Health Minister said that communities have contributed to stigmatizing such persons, eventually leading to discrimination.“We see it at workplaces; we see it where services are provided; we see it at the transportation aspect; and far,cheap jerseys from china, far too often we see it within our own families.“The solution to the problem we encounter would not come unless we are all engaged. People living with disabilities must be part of the solution,” the Minister said.He explained that persons living with disabilities simply ask to be understood and to be allowed to live their lives to the fullest without being discriminated against.Dr Ramsammy chided the public, whether they are employers, church leaders, community leaders or the transportation association,Cheap NFL Jerseys, for depriving persons with disabilities of the opportunity to live life with dignity.He noted that the general public needs to recognize that persons with disabilities are also talented and deserve a chance to showcase what they can do.The public, Dr Ramsammy said, must learn to respect this.Meanwhile, Julie Lewis, who is visually impaired and who is also involved in mass communication, said that persons with disabilities are not happy with their portrayal in the media, which can at times be negative.She, however,Buy Air Max 95, added that disabled people must be involved in positive activities so that the media can write positively about them. According to Lewis, being disabled must not be seen as a death sentence.She said it can be overcome and can be lived with easily.Lewis stressed that persons living with disabilities must seek to empower themselves by finding jobs and making a positive contribution to society.The National Commission on Disability (NCD) in its strategic plan has as one of its strategies, Public Awareness and Media Advocacy.?A line of action under this strategy is to Design a Comprehensive Campaign to provide information on disability issues for the general public and Advocate for responsible and sensitive Media Practices.Research shows that disabled persons are the world’s largest minority.According to the 2002 census, the number of persons with disabilities in Guyana is 48,419, which is about 6.4 per cent of the total population.Forty-one per cent of disabilities were caused by an accident; 18 per cent were acquired at birth, and 15 per cent were caused by diseases.Only 22 per cent of persons with disabilities, who are above fifteen years old, are in the labour force.