Disabilities Bill 2024 Gains Unanimous Support in House Meeting

Another Bill brought to the house today was the Disabilities Bill 2024.  This Bill seeks to strengthen the rights and accommodations for persons living with disability.  The Bill received the full support of the House including Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Francis Fonseca.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education: “I want to of course join with the Honourable Member of Belize Rural Central in recognizing and acknowledging the tremendous advocacy and work of the special envoy, Mrs. Briceño. I have had the privilege and honor of working with her. So I know how passionately she feels about this issue. And she’s been a very strong and effective advocate, quietly for many, many years, quietly for many years now she’s, of course, in a more leadership, more visible role but she’s been doing a lot of good work for many, many decades. So I want to acknowledge her. I’ve learned a lot about this issue from her and observing her. So I thank her. And I want to acknowledge as well my friend up there, Marshall Nunez. The great Marshall Nunez. Now who now is the head of the disabilities desk. Marshall as well has been a champion and advocate for people with disabilities for many, many years. He’s an inspiration despite his own disability being visually impaired. He has not missed a step. He has kept moving forward, kept working, maintained a very positive outlook on life, and he’s been an inspiration to so many other people. So I’m very, very proud that he’s a part of our team and he gets to work on the front line of this important issue. So thank you, Marshall, for your work and your advocacy.”

Present in the gallery, supporting the Disabilities Bill were several persons with disabilities as well as key stakeholders and advocates, including the Special Envoy, Rosanna Briceno.