BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MAY was officially declared Disabilities Awareness Month and, with its successful conclusion, the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SNAPD) has stated its hope that their equal rights campaign would continue.
During the month, SNAPD hosted several activities to further the public’s education on the rights of persons living with disabilities. The President of the association, Anthony Mills, told SKNVibes that he felt the school visits were perhaps the most successful activity carried out.
“The school visits were great because the kids were really responsive. We feel that we might have made a breakthrough as far as the kids are concerned.”
Members of the association visited the Washington Archibald High School, Basseterre High School, Sandy Point High School, St. Theresa’s Convent, Tucker-Clarke Primary School and Cayon High School during May, and Mills said that children of all ages were interested in better understanding the rights of persons with disabilities.
“It’s funny, because it was pretty much the same across the board. The children were all very attentive and some of them even asked questions. Some of the parents actually told us that their kids came home and told them about it.
“We feel we might have reached the kids, because if they go home and tell their parents and talk about it they might then reach their parents,” the President stated.
Another successful aspect of the month of activities was the panel discussion held on ZIZ television.
“The feedback we have gotten so far from the panel discussion has been positive. We had a few new ideas come up, but most of it was emphasising what people already know…so maybe they would do something about it,” Mills said.
While the month of activities certainly raised the community’s awareness level, Mills said that SNAPD would still need time to effectively gauge its success, and hoped that their campaign to educate would not end simply because the month is over.
“We as a body are going to have to continue doing what we are doing - raising the awareness, keeping the pressure on the politicians and things like that. If we keep doing what we are doing, eventually it will reach some of the people.”
To this end, Mills said that Disabilities Awareness Month would become an annual tradition for SNAPD and that the most successful elements, such as the panel discussion and the school visits, would continue on a more regular basis.
The President took time to thank the many persons and businesses that assisted in making the month of activities possible, including Carib Breweries, The Bottling Company, Fulton Bakery, Island Bakery, Ocean Cold Storage, RAMS Group of Companies, J's Shop and Save, Dynamic Distributors, Fraites and Sons Bakery, Fancy Loaf, Elston Braitwaithe, Lenny Ottley and Sister Arlene Hendrickson.
Special thanks regarding the panel discussion were given to Cheryl Ward, Mahlon Goma “for his tireless work” and Azilla Clarke for hosting the event.
Finally, Mills also extended gratitude to Vincent Fough and Edith Lake, who donated their time and vehicles throughout the month.
