There are approximately 52, 244 persons living with a disability in Trinidad and Tobago.
It represents at least 4 percent of the total population.
This is according to data derived from the 2011 Population and Housing Census.
Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Donna Cox, made the disclosure while speaking at a Down Syndrome Family Network, World Down Syndrome Day Conference, today.
The event took place at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “What Does Inclusion Mean?”.
Minister Cox said presently the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services is reviewing the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. It is also reviewing the legislation with a view of ensuring alignment with the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Minister Cox said the Ministry is also currently in the process of reevaluating its Disability Assistance Grant and other similar type programmes that are accessed by persons with disabilities.
Minister Cox said the purpose of this project is to ensure grants and programmes are meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and further, to ensure the right persons are able to access these grants.
She said these initiatives form a part of the Action Plan of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities to ensure an adequate standard of living for persons.
Minister Cox said the state continues to support organisations that facilitate persons with disabilities, adding that in the last three years it provided over One Hundred and Thirty-two Million Dollars in subventions and one-off grants to organisations supporting such persons.
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