Guyana to establish first autism school

First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali said Guyana’s first specialised school for children with autism will soon be established.

The First Lady addressed the 19^th session of the Conference of state Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York, where she said the school will be established this year.

“In 2025, we opened the country’s first school that offers specialised service for children with hearing impairments. This year we will establish Guyana’s first school specialised for children with autism,” the First Lady said.

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that affects how people see others and socialise with them. The condition also includes limited and repeated patterns of behavior.

According to Mrs. Ali, initiatives adopted by Guyana support a multifaceted approach to ensure equal treatment and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Through legislative reforms, policy development, targeted programmes and infrastructure, such as the Business Centre for Persons with Disabilities, persons are getting direct benefits.

“The business centre for persons with disabilities was established last year and offers specialised skill development training and employment for persons with disabilities this centre currently employs more than 100 persons with disabilities,” Mrs Ali said.

Additionally, she referenced the expanded financial assistance available to persons living with disabilities through increases in the permanent disability grant, monthly public assistance and periodic cash grants.

Mrs. Ali said efforts are being made to improve workforce participation and financial inclusion through skills development programmes, zero-interest financing and public-private partnerships aimed at creating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

Despite the progress, the First Lady acknowledged that significant challenges remain both in Guyana and internationally.

“Developing countries require enhanced access to modern disability technology to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from the latest development in innovation and rehabilitation,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Ali said continued policy reform and investment are critical to breaking down institutional and societal barriers and ensuring full inclusion for persons with disabilities in all aspects of national life.