Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), today, expressed appreciation that efforts were under way to integrate them into mainstream society.

The assurance came as Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, disclosed a number of initiatives at aimed at empowering that sector. The Minister was at the time addressing the prize- giving ceremony for the Barbados Council for the Disabled Secondary Schools’ Literary Competition, at United Nations House.

"The Ministry of Social Care will shortly be ratifying the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This document is now with the Attorney General’s Chambers, which will be undertaking the necessary legal procedures to finalise the process," the Social Care Minister revealed.

He also noted that in addition to the ongoing formulation of the Plan of Action for the implementation of the White Paper on Disabilities, his Ministry "through the National Disabilities Unit…has also been working with the Ministry of Transport and Works on the amendment of the Road Traffic Act."

Mr. Blackett stated that the amendment, which will soon be completed, would entail penalties for issues related to parking for Persons with Disabilities.

The Minister further disclosed that plans are currently under way for the production of a new national identification card which will be beneficial to PWDs.??sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest