Message of Gérald ORIOL Jr, Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (BSEIPH) "A year goes, another is coming! Finally, this is the time of balance sheets, retrospectives and projections. At the level of Bureau, we are pleased to see how much disability issues occupied the center of the debates this year. It has been increasingly taken into account by different sectors of national life.

At the Government level, concrete efforts have been made to ensure better management of the issue. It is therefore desirable that these efforts be redoubled to achieve the effective integration of people with disabilities.

We are confident that this step will not be crossed without the transverse process of the theme. It is, beyond the measures to meet the special needs of persons with disabilities to provide services capable of establishing the fundamental rights of citizens indiscriminately, regardless of their belonging to a specific social group, majority or minority.

Thus, to ensure the rights of disabled people and their real autonomy, the various sectoral ministries should continue, each in what concerns, specific objectives in the context of coordination transversale. Such are the accessibility of all to public buildings and community, access to education and health, effective participation in labor markets, rehabilitation of paved that must guarantee the right to freedom of movement and autonomy. Taking account of these needs is a fundamental right for persons with disabilities, which should not be neglected or violated.

As a civilized nation, Haiti has made commitments in this field, both nationally and internationally. In doing so, it also represents also another opportunity for national development. Adequate and equitable treatment of the issue of disability still requires more civic and democratic engagement, a greater sense of responsibility and solidarity towards our compatriots. What controls the break with the logic of charity and pity that

structure too often minds.

This change of perspective requires the acceptance of the other in its difference and uniqueness. This involves the the implementation of universal accessibility standards for its free movement as citizens of the society.

This invites to make available the means facilitating access to education, labor markets, health care and recreation. This involves also and above all to recognize and accept without reserve the right to love and be loved.

Dear members of the government, leaders and members of associations of persons with disabilities, members of the press, the Haitian population in general, BSEIPH invites you, to renew your commitment, at the end of the year to continue the work of building of the Haitian society of inclusion and tolerance that we all dream of.

Merry Christmas 2013 and Happy New Year 2014 !"

Gérald Oriol Jr Secrétaire d’État

HL/ HaitiLibre