Several ideas were put forward for inclusion into the policy and legislative proposals being drafted to improve the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the first town hall meeting on Thursday night.
The meeting was led by Chair of the Advisory Committee to guide the establishment of a Commission for Improving the Lives of Persons with Disabilities, Edmund Hinkson. He was supported by a panel, which included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Jehu Wiltshire, and Parliamentary Secretary, Corey Lane.
Suggestions ranging from respite care for parents who were “burnt out” from dealing with disabled children; the establishment of assisted living communities for the disabled; the establishment of a facility for children with behavioural challenges other than the Psychiatric Hospital, to more employment opportunities for PWDs were put forward by those attending in person and online.
There were also calls for better transportation arrangements for children with disabilities, specially outfitted play grounds and a greater awareness about children living with disabilities from the primary stage.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Hinkson charged that people with disabilities in Barbados and the Caribbean as a whole made up a high percentage of the most vulnerable.
He noted that the last census in 2010 showed that there were between 12,000 and 14,000 people in Barbados with a disability, but noted that those numbers were likely to be higher in 2022.
Mr. Hinkson added that with people living longer here, there was a greater likelihood that someone could sustain a disability.
He indicated that matters related to unemployment were already being tackled under the new policy, especially as the 2010 census showed that 90 per cent of PWDs who were of working age were unemployed.
But, he posed the questions to his face-to-face and online audience: “Is Barbados ready for affirmative action to help persons with disabilities? Are we prepared to say that a certain percentage of jobs must go to persons with disabilities?”
“We cannot continue to have people with disabilities without work, but to reduce the 90 per cent we must come with something radical,” he stated.
Mr. Hinkson added that while everything could not happen in a day, there was a need to start the process in order to deal with the challenges, through the establishment of a policy.
He explained that there may be a need to set targets within the policy and outline issues to be dealt with in the first year, those in years two and three, and then year four and five. “We will do our best. We are fighting,” he assured.
The mandate of the Advisory Committee comes to an end on November 30. The second town hall meeting being hosted by the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, in collaboration with the Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities, will take place on Wednesday, September 21, at the Ivan Harewood Centre, Christ Church Parish Church. Persons may also join virtually via the link https://is.gd/2PwD_Bds.