The recent elections have ushered in a period of renewed hope and anticipation for the nation, with citizens looking forward to leadership that upholds transparency, meritocracy, and inclusion. For persons with disabilities, this era holds significant promise for addressing long-standing issues such as accessibility, representation, and equal opportunities. However, achieving these goals requires careful navigation and a commitment to meaningful reform, avoiding the pitfalls of repeating past mistakes or empowering individuals with questionable motives.
Inclusion and Meritocracy: Foundations for Progress
Meritocracy and inclusion are essential pillars for building a just and equitable society. Meritocracy ensures that every individual, regardless of background or ability, is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. For persons with disabilities, achieving inclusion means dismantling systemic barriers and implementing policies that recognize their talents and potential.
Inclusion extends beyond physical accessibility; it encompasses equitable education systems, inclusive employment opportunities, and comprehensive social services that address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. Accessibility must be understood as a broad concept that integrates physical, digital, and societal elements to ensure that no one is left behind.
The government must also prioritize transparency and expertise in decision-making processes, ensuring that appointments and policies are grounded in merit and competence rather than political favoritism. Such an approach benefits not only persons with disabilities but also strengthens governance by leveraging the diversity of the entire population.
Avoiding Old Wine in New Bottles
While optimism surrounds the new government, caution is warranted to prevent the recycling of outdated practices or the empowerment of individuals who lack innovation or integrity. These individuals often prioritize personal agendas over the collective needs of the disability community, hindering progress.
The disability sector cannot afford to stagnate or regress. Genuine reform requires embracing new ideas, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that policies are informed by lived experiences. Leaders must commit to forward-thinking initiatives that prioritize community needs over politics. Only through such an approach can the government build trust and drive meaningful change.
Addressing the Pension and Benefits System: A Call for Reform
On December 4, 2024, the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security, and National Solidarity organized a consultation workshop for change. This event featured a keynote address by the newly appointed minister and group discussions on pressing issues. One significant topic that arose during the workshop was the system governing disability pensions and benefits, including the mechanisms used to determine eligibility.
The current system relies heavily on assessments conducted by the Medical Board under the Medical Unit. According to Regulation 15 of the Public Service Commission Regulations, it is the responsibility of the Director of the Medical Unit to establish Medical Boards and Medical Tribunals for matters related to social security and industrial injury benefits. The Assistant Director of the Medical Unit is tasked with supporting the Director in managing these duties, including overseeing the implementation of government policies and ensuring the efficient operation of the Medical Unit.
This regulatory framework places a significant burden on the Director and Assistant Director to ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and aligned with international standards. Given their responsibilities, their presence at the workshop should have been an opportunity to address concerns about the current system and provide explanations about potential reforms. However, despite their attendance, this critical issue remained unaddressed.
Flaws in the Current System: Moving Beyond the Medical Model
The Medical Board operates predominantly under a medical model of disability, which focuses on diagnosing and categorizing disabilities as medical conditions. This approach is outdated and inconsistent with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which emphasizes a human rights-based perspective. The CRPD recognizes disability as a result of the interaction between individuals and societal barriers, advocating for policies that promote inclusion and accessibility rather than limiting focus to medical assessments.
For decades, this medical model has perpetuated discrimination and exclusion, forcing persons with disabilities to navigate an often dehumanizing process to prove their eligibility for benefits. The reliance on medical assessments alone fails to account for the social and environmental factors that impact the lives of persons with disabilities.
As someone who has been advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities since 1993, I have consistently highlighted these shortcomings. Despite raising these concerns for over 30 years, the Medical Board remains unchanged, continuing to marginalize individuals with permanent disabilities through its narrow and outdated approach.
A Platform for Change
The consultation workshop on December 4, 2024, presented a valuable platform for stakeholders to engage in dialogue and propose meaningful reforms. With the Director and Assistant Director of the Medical Unit present, this was an ideal opportunity for them to address concerns about the pension system and explain their vision for improvement. Additionally, the presence of high-ranking officials from the ministry created a conducive environment for open discussion and immediate action.
The stakeholders’ expectations were clear: they sought transparency, accountability, and a commitment to aligning the system with the CRPD’s human rights-based framework. Unfortunately, these expectations were not met. The silence from the Director and Assistant Director during the workshop represented a missed chance to demonstrate leadership and initiate necessary reforms.
Transitioning to a Human Rights-Based Approach
It is imperative for the government to replace the Medical Board with a new entity that adopts a human rights-based approach to disability. Such a body would consider the social, environmental, and economic factors affecting persons with disabilities, moving beyond the limitations of the medical model. This shift would align Mauritius with international standards and the CRPD, ensuring that the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities are upheld.
The establishment of this new entity should involve meaningful consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations. Policies must be co-designed with the disability community to ensure that they address real needs and promote genuine inclusion.
Expectations for Inclusive Governance
As the government embarks on this new chapter, it must prioritize the following:
- Accessible Infrastructure: Public spaces, transportation systems, and institutions must be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Representation: Qualified individuals with disabilities should be appointed to leadership roles to ensure that policies reflect lived experiences.
- Employment Opportunities: Inclusive hiring practices and skill development programs are essential for enabling persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.
- Social Security Reform: The disability pension system must be restructured to reflect a human rights-based approach, eliminating discriminatory practices and ensuring fairness.
The success of these initiatives depends on a commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration. The government must engage stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, civil society, and experts, to develop and implement policies that drive lasting change.
Conclusion: Seizing the Moment for Change
The post-election period is a time for bold decisions and transformative action. The government has a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to inclusion, meritocracy, and human rights. By addressing the flaws in the pension system and embracing a human rights-based approach, it can build a future that reflects the aspirations of all citizens.
Citizens, too, have a role to play in advocating for accountability and holding leaders to their promises. Together, we can create a society that values diversity, upholds merit, and ensures that every voice is heard.
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This revision avoids derogatory terms such as « invalid » and integrates respectful language throughout. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a human rights-based approach while addressing the responsibilities of the Director and Assistant Director in a neutral and constructive manner.
* M. Ali Jookhun, O.S.K.
Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
(Recognized for dedicated service to persons with disabilities)
Commonwealth Points of Light Award (83rd)
Awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
(In recognition of exceptional service supporting individuals with Down Syndrome and raising awareness of disability rights)