BASSETERRE ST. Kitts, December 5th, 2012 -- Today, 3rd December marks the global observance of the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES and I am reminded of the scripture which says: “There but for the grace of God go I”.
Today is a very special day for a group of persons who are very often hidden in homes and not always provided the opportunities to sit at tables to articulate their special needs and demonstrate their unique capabilities. And so, the Ministry joins the international community today by inviting your undivided attention to this special group of persons.
Put simply, it is only a DISABILITY which keeps them from full functionality. Some cases are more severe than others. And if truth be told we all have some form of disability be it emotional, physical or mental. All human beings experience some form of disability at varying levels.
Today the Ministry urges fellow Kittitians and Nevisians to remember this group of persons who are disabled in a greater way than we are. Treat them with the respect, love and dedication that they deserve. They may be DISABLED in some way but they are talented and ABLE and can be ENABLED and EMPOWERED. Only yesterday I attended a talent show organized by persons living with disabilities. The abundance of talent displayed was overwhelming and inspirational.
This is why the theme for this year is "REMOVING BARRIERS TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY FOR ALL”. Barriers whether physical, environmental or societal in terms of attitudes, stigma and discrimination must be removed to provide for equal participation by persons living with disabilities in all aspects of life. The rights of all including those with physical and mental disabilities must be respected and protected. We are first and foremost human and the labels are secondary.
The Ministry has planned a critical dialogue with stakeholders in pursuance of strengthening our public awareness strategies to bring to the fore the many challenges experienced by persons living with disabilities. They experience higher rates of poverty and are twice as likely to be abused and not access health care and educational opportunities.
We have lagged behind in fostering responsive sensitive attitudes for bringing a comfortable level of acceptance of this group. As a result, the Department of Community and Social Development in partnership with UNESCO has designed a project exclusively focused on persons with disabilities. We are hoping to achieve two objectives:
Heighten awareness about persons living with disabilities
2. To lobby Cabinet for approval for a National Day to recognize and celebrate persons living with disabilities. This day each year in line with the International observance can be a good suggestion.
Present with us here today are members of the Committee. They are:
Mr. Anthony Mills, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Disabled persons
Ms. Jenipha Freeman, Nevis Blind, Light and Visually Impaired
Mrs. Charmaine Blanchette, Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School (Special Education)
Mrs. Tamicia Lestrade, Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services in Nevis
Mrs. Jacqueline Christopher, Community Development Officer in St. Kitts, author of the project
Ms. Azilla Clarke, Director of Community and Social Development in St. Kitts
Mr. Antonio Maynard, Secretary General of UNESCO and Ms Sharon Rattan, Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry are ex officio members overseeing the implementation of this activity.
The task today is to firstly brainstorm, discuss and present a work plan which would result in specific actions to be taken during the course of 2013 to raise awareness throughout every community about disabilities and persons living with disabilities.
Secondly to present the case for government's approval of National Day and to document the issues to be addressed for signing the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The overarching goal to be achieved is to also ensure that an umbrella association be formed to strengthen their voices so that their needs and issues can be tackled and clearly articulated.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I call on my fellow Kittitians and Nevisians to work alongside with the Ministry and UNESCO to achieve equitable and sustainable services for this special group of persons. Our policies and action points must be consistently inclusive.
I commend all the care givers and encourage you to continue to care with love, patience and tolerance. To the Committee, I wish you every success with the presentation of the work plan. I wish to record my profound gratitude to Mr. Antonio Maynard, Secretary General of UNESCO, for supporting this project. UNESCO is certainly one of our highly prized partners.
May your dialogue be productive, passionate and continuous.
GOD BLESS!
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