Government Action on Disability Policy
A Global Survey
Part II - Government Replies as Country Profiles

Guinea

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Transmitted by Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York (29 May 1996)
General policy

The officially recognized disability policy in Guinea is expressed in guidelines adopted by the Government. The emphasis - in descending scale - is on prevention, rehabilitation, anti-discrimination law, individual support.

Since the adoption of the Rules the Government has organized regional seminars and conferences on the subject legislation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by general legislation. There is no judicial mechanism to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The non-judicial mechanism available is a Governmental body (administrative).

The general legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, access to court-of-law, right to privacy, property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: training, rehabilitation and counselling, and independent living.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are laws and regulations concerning accessibility in the build environment. Accessibility in the build environment is observed by a national authority and local Governments. The only measure promoted in order to facilitate accessibility in the build environment is marking parking areas. Special transport arrangements include transport (bus) free of charge in urban areas, available for medical treatment, education, work, and recreational purpose. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people is recognized as the official language of deaf people, is used as the first language in education of deaf people, and is recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are no Government measures for encouraging media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible. The only service provided to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others is sign language interpretation for major events.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with Governmental institutions. Consultations with the organizations of persons with disabilities take place at both national, regional and local level. The Government gives financial and organizational/logistic support to existing or new organizations. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in Government and legislature, to some extent in political parties and to a great extent in judicial authorities and NGOs. The disabled persons' organizations in Guinea have the role to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planing, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services, and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The committee include representatives of all Ministries, from organizations of persons with disabilities, and from the civil society.

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