Guyana’s 1st Autism School to open this year – First Lady tells UN

The First Lady of Guyana has championed the establishment of the country’s first specialised school for children with autism, announcing that the institution will be opened this year during her address to the 19th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on Tuesday.

She delivered the statement under the theme “CRPD at 20: Celebrating and Consolidating Achievements and Shaping the Next Phase of Implementation in a Changing World”.

According to the First Lady, the 20th anniversary of the Convention provides an opportunity to reflect on both the progress made and the work that remains to be done.

“The adoption of the Convention marked a transformative step forward, driving efforts to dismantle institutional and societal barriers and empower persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in society,” she said.

She noted that in Guyana, the principles of the convention continue to guide national efforts to create a more inclusive society.

“Through legislative reforms, policy development, and targeted programmes, Guyana has adopted a multifaceted approach to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal treatment, expanded opportunities, and greater participation in national life,” she stated.

Highlighting recent achievements, the First Lady noted that Guyana opened its first school offering specialised services for children with hearing impairments in 2025.

“In 2025, we opened the country’s first school that offers specialised services for children with hearing impairments. This year, we will establish Guyana’s first specialised school for children with autism. While these achievements are encouraging, significant challenges remain, not only in Guyana but across many countries,” she said.

The First Lady also pointed to the Government’s continued expansion of financial support for persons with disabilities, including increases in the permanent disability grant, monthly public assistance, and periodic cash grants.

She further noted that Guyana continues to invest in initiatives aimed at improving workforce participation and financial inclusion through skills development programmes, zero-interest financing, and public-private partnerships that create pathways for employment and entrepreneurship.

Business Centre for Persons with Disabilities

Additionally, she highlighted the work of the Business Centre for Persons with Disabilities, which was established last year to provide specialised skills training and employment opportunities. “The Centre currently employs more than one hundred persons with disabilities,” she said.

The First Lady emphasised that developing countries require greater access to modern disability-support technologies to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from advances in innovation and rehabilitation. “Guyana looks forward to the continued implementation of the convention, underscored by stronger partnerships and collaboration among Governments, persons with disabilities, international organisations, and technology stakeholders,” she added.

The Education Ministry is currently designing an autism school, as a rise in diagnoses for children with autism and intellectual disabilities have been recorded in the last four years.

Guyana’s first specialised public facility for children with autism is the YAS School of Inspiration, established through a collaboration between the Government of Guyana, the Office of the First Lady, and the UAE. Additionally, specialised services and diagnostic programmes are provided through the Regional Special Education Needs Disability and Diagnostic Treatment Centre at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) compound.

The first lady of Guyana is currently leading Guyana’s delegation at the 19th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The delegation comprises Programme Manager Ganesh Singh, Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities; and Alicia Jerome-Reece, Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.

The team from Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the UN comprises Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Trishala Persaud; Minister Counsellor, Stephanie Savoury; First Secretary, Marissa Edwards; and Second Secretary, Abosede Hazlewood.