10. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Speed up the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) through developing a national implementation plan. 2. Design and conduct a continuing programme to raise societal awareness necessary to enable respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and combat stereotypes and prejudices relating to persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture shall be required to demonstrate leadership in this regard. 3. Develop annual work plans to implement the National Disability Policy, and the Minister for Health and Family be required to report annually to Parliament on progress in the implementation of the policy. 4. Develop a national strategy for the reduction of risk factors contributing to disabilities during pregnancy and childhood and take all necessary prevention steps including strengthening and supporting existing family counselling programmes, premarital confidential testing for diseases such as thalassaemia, along ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES with prevention counselling for intra-family marriages. ... 74 5. Implement a well-designed early identification and intervention initiative for disability, especially during pregnancy and for children 0 to 3 years of age. 6. Commence specific early intervention services at public expense through the Family and Children Service Centres with the collaboration of hospitals and health centres in the atolls. Such services must include finding and referral of children; evaluation and assessment of children; development of an Individualized Family Service Plan for each child with a disability; and establishment of multi-disciplinary early intervention teams at each of the FCSCs. 7. Provide training to the staff at FCSCs for delivery of early intervention initiatives.