Government and the private sector need to work together closely on issues concerning persons with disabilities (PWDs).
This assertion came from Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler, recently, while speaking at the Redman Village, St. Thomas home of Edwin Lawrence, who is visually impaired and physically challenged. The 62-yea- old man’s dilapidated home was replaced with a new two bedroom dwelling, by the Rural Development Commission.
"For my Ministry, which is responsible for overseeing affairs of persons with disabilities, through the National Disabilities Unit, we have a special responsibility, but that should not just be confined to the Ministry of Social Care, it should spread over the entire Government," Mr. Sinckler stated.
With regards to housing, the Social Care Minister disclosed that there had been some discussion with Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley, to ensure that PWDs are suitably accommodated in the new housing projects.
"We need to work together from the beginning, not in the middle, not at the end. I have spoken to Minister Lashley about …all of the new housing units that will be built… ????????
Appropriate consultations should take place with the associations to ensure that at the ground level, units are reserved for persons with disabilities, and that they are properly retrofitted," he affirmed.
Mr. Sinckler stated that the proposed housing project at Deacons, St. Michael will include areas which are fully accessible to PWDs.??sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb