Media partners have been urged to recommit themselves to ensuring the Month of the Disabled 2024 places the spotlight on disabilities.
The request came today from President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, The Most Honourable Kerryann Ifill, as she addressed a press conference at the Council’s headquarters at Harambee House, The Garrison, St. Michael, and highlighted the activities for the month.
Underscoring the importance of doing so throughout the year, she said: “We live with our disabilities 24-7; 365, and this year 366 days, of the year… but we are only asking for 31 straight days, this month.”
Ms. Ifill, who outlined how the media could accomplish this feat, stated: “Not the sob stories; not the feel-good stories [but] the realities of our daily lives; the triumphs, the challenges, the strengths, the weaknesses, the opportunities, the invitation to the wider community to be a part of us; to recognise that we are a part of them.
“We encourage each and every one of you to find a way to highlight disability; its positiveness…. This month, we want you to focus assiduously and tirelessly on disability…. And again, we want to remind you that we are one community; one Barbados; united in action.”
The Council will be working along with the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) and other stakeholders to accomplish several activities, under the chosen theme One Community: United in Action.
Among the activities which the Council will stage for friends and families of the disabled to attend are A Pop-Up Gold Cup Fundraiser Sale, tomorrow, Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m., at Harambee House, and a multi-faith church service at St. David’s Church, St. David’s, Christ Church, on Sunday, March 10, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will also recognise the 40th Anniversary of the Barbados National Council of the Disabled.
“We encourage each and every one of you [the media] to find a way to highlight disability; its positiveness…. This month, we want you to focus assiduously and tirelessly on disability…. And again, we want to remind you that we are one community; one Barbados; united in action.”
President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Kerryann Ifill
It was also noted that the Council will broadcast daily devotions from members of various organisations every morning and evening on CBC-TV.
The Barbados Council for the Disabled will also act as a hub for the purchase of socks by persons wishing to participate in the annual “Rock Your Socks”, for World Down Syndrome Day, March 21. The sale of socks will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from Monday, March 4, to Wednesday, March 20.
Additionally, there will be a lecture on the topic Disability-Related Legislation In Canada: Implications for Barbados, at the Lecture Theatre 2, Roy Marshall Theatre Teaching Complex, The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, at 8:00 p.m. It will be delivered by Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Dr. Diane Driedger.
Meanwhile, Director of the National Disabilities Unit, John Hollingsworth, shared that events planned by the NDU are aimed to ensure persons with disabilities receive the attention and support needed “to lead as much [as possible] an inclusive life that they can”.
Emphasising that his organisation aims to reach a wider population through a number of media exercises and mass public exercises, he said the NDU hopes to include some innovative programmes that would garner wider participation from the public.
He highlighted some of the planned activities and noted there were three new initiatives this year – a health fair, a sports rally, and a flea market.
The first-ever health fair, being held in collaboration with the Carlisle Laboratories, will take place at the NDU’s compound on Collymore Rock, on Wednesday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. This will involve the showcasing of products and “testing for various ailments that may afflict the population”.
While the inaugural sports rally for persons with disabilities and special needs will be on Wednesday, March 20, at the Wildey Gymnasium, the flea market will be hosted at the NDU grounds on Saturday, March 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Hollingsworth also revealed that there will be recreational events for NDU staff and others who assist persons with disabilities. Stating that this would occur every Friday of March, at their headquarters, he said: “Roast Breadfruit Friday aims to build some camaraderie and show them some support for the work they have been doing over the past several years.”
For further information on the calendar of events for the Month of the Disabled persons may click here.