WASHINGTON, DC – AS St. Kitts and Nevis recently joined the global community in recognising the achievements and contributions of persons within the differently-abled community, its representatives also engaged with the Organization of American States (OAS) to outline the government’s ongoing work at home.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people within the differently-abled community have inclusive spaces to work, play, and participate fully in national conversations.
While addressing the OAS Permanent Council today (Dec. 10) here in Washington, DC, Adelcia Connor-Ferlance, Third Secretary and Alternate Representative of St. Kitts and Nevis at the Embassy in Washington, DC, reiterated the Federation’s belief that democratic societies are strongest “when all citizens, without exception, are enabled to participate fully, meaningfully, and on equal terms in civic, economic, and social life.”
She added that this principle must also apply to those in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities, “whose full inclusion remains both a democratic imperative and a development priority.”
“Accession by St. Kitts & Nevis to the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities reflects my nation's enduring commitment to advancing equality of opportunity, safeguarding human dignity, and dismantling the institutional and social barriers that impede inclusive participation. These commitments are further reinforced by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which continue to guide global and national efforts toward rights-based inclusion,” Connor-Ferlance said.
Highlighting the government’s drive to create an enabling environment, she revealed that the administration is currently updating its disabilities policy and is in the advanced stages of finalising a comprehensive disabilities bill, which is expected to be completed soon.
“These initiatives will modernise our legislative and policy frameworks and more firmly entrench disability rights within our national governance architecture,” she explained.
“My delegation underscores the important work being carried out by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Ageing, and Disabilities in collaboration with the St. Kitts & Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities. Through sensitisation workshops, stakeholder consultations, panel discussions, and sustained community outreach, these efforts have generated increased public awareness, understanding, and support for the important contributions made by persons with disabilities.”
Connor-Ferlance added that the government remains convinced that “sustained dialogue opens minds, transforms attitudes, and tangibly improves the lives of persons living with disabilities.”
She also noted that accessibility includes effective communication, pointing to basic sign language training that the government has introduced for frontline workers and civil servants—measures that the government believes strengthen inclusive service delivery and improve public institutions’ ability to respond equitably to the needs of all.
As part of its push to create a comprehensive inclusive environment, the government has also launched a new initiative within the agriculture sector designed to cultivate economic skills and promote self-reliance among persons with disabilities.
Accordingly, “This initiative is further complemented by long-standing handicraft programmes, collectively offering multiple pathways for social inclusion, entrepreneurship, and independent livelihoods.”
