Friday at the Hotel Le Plaza, was held a Workshop with representatives of local and international associations working in the field of disability. In his opening address, Gerald Oriol, Jr., Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, recalled, that this working meeting was structured around two key points: 1) The amendment of the Labour Code and its harmonization with the Law of 13 March 2012 on the integration of people with disabilities came into force May 21, 2012, to enable them to have access, as everyone in the labor market and to be free from discrimination because of a physical condition, sensory, intellectual or mental. 2) The adoption of a draft presidential decree creating the National Solidarity Fund for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities.

Opening Speech by Secretary of State Gerald Oriol, Jr. :

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Project of Strengthening of Legal Framework for Persons with Disabilities in Haiti, of the OAS;

Distinguished representatives of international organizations working in the field of Disability;

Distinguished representatives of the Haitian associations, of and for the Persons with Disabilities;

Distinguished representatives of human rights organizations;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you in this space in order to work together once more for the advancement of the cause of people living with a disability. This working meeting in which we met this morning concerns our fullest right : the right of access to work without being discriminated and the right and the right to benefit from the support of the State in order to gain autonomy guaranteeing a true integration into society.

Who among us does not give importance to these rights? Who among us feels able to accept that he or she is not treated with dignity? Who among us does not seek to maximize its capacity of operation without worrying about the disparities and discrimination socio-political and economic? Nobody wants to live in a society where their rights are violated. So strong of these reasons, we are here. I welcome your presence and wish welcome to all !

Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, has no other interests to defend as yours. To do this, your active participation in the definition and prioritization of choice is essential. Thus, the cohesion or coherence in our actions, will testify not only of our ability to make decisions as a group, but also of our sense of responsibility in the orientation of our future. Because what disabled people want is to be seen and act as responsible persons who have abilities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This working session focuses on the following two points :

1) The amendment of the Labour Code and its harmonization with the Law of 13 March 2012 on the integration of people with disabilities came into force May 21, 2012, to enable them to have access, as everyone in the labor market and to be free from discrimination because of a physical condition, sensory, intellectual or mental :

2) The adoption of a draft presidential decree creating the National Solidarity Fund for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities.

The Executives of the Secretary of State and the Legal Consultant to the Organization of American States (OAS) are there to assist you in the reflection and the formatting of your proposals.

As Secretary of State, it is my duty to ensure that you are totally free to express your opinion and that your concerns will be carefully taken into account.

Again, I want to express my joy to be here and see the progress that we are doing every day in the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. Gradually, we take our place in the Haitian society to live with greater dignity and greater autonomy [...]"

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5175-haiti-social-the-bseiph-sends-its-warmest-congratulations-to-the-haitian-parliament.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7803-haiti-social-easy-access-to-new-buildings-for-persons-with-disabilities.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7366-haiti-social-circular-for-the-social-inclusion-of-people-with-special-needs.html

HL/ HaitiLibre