As the Month of the Disabled comes to a close, the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) is satisfied it has achieved full participation of all persons with disabilities in activities staged over the period.
This was emphasised yesterday as Director of the NDU, John Hollingsworth, addressed the start of the public lecture entitled This Is My Story, which was delivered by Senator Andwele Boyce, at the Grande Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, Church Village, St. Michael.
In alluding to the theme for the month One Community: United in Action, Mr. Hollingsworth, said: “In keeping with this theme, the National Disabilities Unit has made a conscious effort to encourage participation from all actors in the quest to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, in the activities of the month.
“Tonight is no different; and we have reached out to our partners, stakeholders and those with general interest in the welfare of persons with disabilities to be part of this exercise. Your presence here tonight demonstrates your commitment to efforts that seek to increase awareness of their plight and to expand your knowledge of their circumstances.”
Commending those in attendance, the Director expressed the hope that information gleaned from Senator Boyce’s presentation would “further extend their resolve to make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities”.
He also noted that the community of persons with disabilities must be proud and supportive of the lecture series, which was inaugurated last year. Elaborating, Mr. Hollingsworth stated: “This is because public lectures are normally associated with luminaries who are considered experts in a particular discipline or interest. It is not to say that our presenters are not luminaries in their own right, but we seek to engage those who have walked the walk and talked the talk.”
Those present were reminded that the inaugural presentation was undertaken by Janeil Odle, the first blind lawyer, and the NDU had “done well so far”, setting the standard high with that lecture.
Noting that he expected this to be the same with Senator Boyce’s presentation, Mr. Hollingsworth pointed out that the senator had been a member of the Committee to Guide the Establishment of a Commission To Improve the Lives of Persons With Disabilities, and he (Mr. Hollingsworth) had perceived him as “extremely committed and thoughtful in his deliberation”.
To this end, he added: “We at the NDU, and the Ministry by extension, see it as our innate duty that all matters relating to persons with disabilities receive the prominence that they deserve; this is not restricted to programmes and services but in all matters that impact on their lives and to sustain them in the psyche of all, to achieve the changes we pursue.”