It was a refreshing sight earlier this month at the A.O Shirley Recreation Ground to see quite a number of our beloved differently able youths involved in a number of sporting activities.

Over the past three years, Lions and Leo Clubs have been hosting these games and it remains the only major socialising accomplishment in the struggle for equal opportunities and independence for differently able in our society.

One cannot overlook the strides made by the Virgin Islands in assisting persons with various disabilities. However, more can certainly be done to upgrade facilities and to remove the stigma so infused in many to chastise, and in numerous instances force the parents of these persons to confine them to their homes. A simple move as making more private sector buildings wheelchair accessible will be seen as a giant step in the right direction. 

Those at the forefront, who advocate for better treatment for the disabled, must be more assured by the recent move by government to begin the process to implement a Disability Policy for the Virgin Islands.

It is expected that during an 18 month period, a Disability Policy Advisor is expected to interact with a diverse range of persons from within the public and private sectors during the course of the study.

However, critical input is needed from the community if the final policy which is expected to be adopted by the Government, will reap success at fruition.

The newly announced move comes after years of limited action which was supported by the absence of a clear national policy and legislative backing that would promote the rights of people with disabilities.

What is desperately needed and should be included in the policy framework is the enactment of legislation relating to people with physical and mental disabilities, by taking into account their special needs as a class and the need to facilitate their access to rights and freedoms enjoyed by other members of the society.

This will certainly help to remove the stigma, whereby creating a path for integration. The policy must also take into account that some of our differently able persons may have suffered an accident or some life changing experience and as such may still be able to attend school, work and use most of the public facilities available.

Facility upgrades must engender improvements in terms of staff and infrastructure to those institutions that cater for the needs of the disabled in society.

The Esylen Henley Richard Children Center has been the bedrock of service provision for children with special needs, helping them to function as normal as possible, and to be as independent as they can be. The BVI services under the Ministry of Health and Welfare has also been resilient by providing a vocational rehabilitation programme and has been instrumental in reintegrating the disabled into the society.

However, there is need to improve independent living skills and to develop basic academic skills as far as possible. We must all join hands and show that we are able enough to chart a new way forward for those who are differently able.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment