Implementing Belize's New Disability Legislation: Advancing Inclusion and Accessibility

Belize’s landmark Disability Legislation, enacted in December 2024, establishes the country’s first comprehensive legal framework to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Yet, implementation remains in its early stages. Partnering with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), this Capstone project will support the government in operationalizing the law through actionable policy and program recommendations across five key pillars: protection from discrimination and violence, protection of persons with severe disabilities, access to education and training, employment, and health care.

The team will begin by identifying gaps and barriers to implementation—legal, institutional, financial, infrastructural, and social—through analysis of national datasets such as the Belize Education Management Information System (BEMIS), Employment Services System (ESS), Belize Health Information System (BHIS), UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), and census data. This evidence base will be complemented by qualitative research, including stakeholder consultations with government agencies, educators, and disability advocacy groups.

Drawing on international best practices in accessibility and inclusion, the project will propose context-specific strategies to advance the rights of persons with disabilities and align national policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 4, 8, and 10). Deliverables will include a diagnostic of current implementation readiness, a prioritized roadmap outlining actionable next steps, and model tools or frameworks for integrating inclusive practices into education, employment, and health systems. Ultimately, the project aims to help Belize transform its legislation into tangible change to build a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible society for all.