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STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION Under the Families and Children Act 173, it is the duty of any person having custody of a child to use his/her best efforts to protect the child from discrimination. There are several activities to reduce stigmatization and discrimination against children with disabilities in Belize. These include the promotion of inclusive education, activities offer by Special Olympics and others to build awareness and get children involved. There are recommended ways to address persons with disabilities in several publications and on public announcement one of which is made by the First Lady of Belize. There are parents who are shame of their children to the extent that they don’t bring their children out of the home but according to field officers from NaRCIE, CARE, and teachers and principals these parents and guardians are disappearing. In some cases the children are shame of their condition and some are shame of attending Stella Maris School. Two boys who currently attend Stella Maris don’t wear their school uniform until they reach inside the school because they don’t want to be associated with the school when they are on the streets. The Belize Assembly of Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) is aware of discrimination against persons with disability in the workplace and feels that government should mandate that disabled persons be hired. In schools, children assist their schoolmates with disabled and work and play with them. This was evident in all the primary schools visited.
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