Purpose for Regional Partnership

Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society. Facing daily discrimination in the form of negative attitudes, lack of adequate policies and legislation, they are effectively barred from realizing their rights to healthcare, education, and even survival. 2 Estimates suggest that there are at least 93 million children with disabilities in the world, but numbers could be much higher. They are often likely to be among the poorest members of the population. They are less likely to attend school, access medical services, or have their voices heard in society. Their disabilities also place them at a higher risk of physical abuse, and often exclude them from receiving proper nutrition or humanitarian assistance in emergencies. UNICEF vision is to build a world where every child can grow up healthy, protected from harm and educated, so they can reach their full potential. The Country Programme for UNICEF Belize will continue to focus on the reduction of disparities and elimination of inequities. The national frameworks, policies and standards will be strengthened for effective implementation of inclusive child and adolescent development strategies, while addressing gaps in services for all children and especially those with disabilities. Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, Belize’s Special Envoy for Women and Children and Global Ambassador for Special Olympics, has over the years demonstrated her commitment to improving the quality of life for women and children in Belize. In 2014, Mrs. Barrow officially opened the doors of The Inspiration Center, a multipurpose facility where the community rehabilitation services and medical services are interwoven to provide the utmost care to our most vulnerable children. For the first time in Belize, these children have access to speech, VitalStim & physical therapies, ponseti, hearing screening, medical evaluations as well as the services of Rehabilitation Field Officers and a Social Worker. The Special Envoy and UNICEF, are partnering once more to host a conference that will bring the issues affecting persons with disabilities directly in the regional domain. This conference is being organised within the overall framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with a focus on advocacy, inclusion and improved services for children living with a disability.