BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SOME can imagine the plight of the differently-abled who have to perform everyday tasks with certain limitations. And members of the public, including Members of the Federal Parliament are being invited to engage in an activity that would see them performing a day of work with a simulated disability.
The exercise would form part of the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities’ (SKNPD) observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2016.
It would be held under the theme ‘Empowering persons with disabilities, reduces liability while improving their quality of life’.
The Association is planning a week of activities which is scheduled to begin on November 27 and culminate on December 3.
Activities for the week, according to President of SKNPD Anthony Mills, would include a Panel Discussion, a Church Service and a Banquet at which persons would be honoured.
Mills informed that the proposed ‘Walk in my shoes’ activity is slated for Wednesday, November 30. He explained it is the first time that such an activity would be undertaken by the SKNPD.
He informed that letters were distributed to business houses across St. Kitts and also to Parliamentarians (both Government and Opposition) requesting their participation in the activity.
Persons who agree to participate in the exercise will either be blindfolded or placed in a wheelchair, or they may have earplugs placed in their ears, and they will have to perform their duties as they normally would.
These activities would be as simple as using the restroom or preparing a cup of tea, to being as arduous as navigating through midday traffic to make their way from the Ferry Terminal to the Court House within a specific period of time.
“The idea behind it is to get as many people as possible to participate, to have them see how people with disabilities have to navigate the world. We are expecting that they would share their experiences with us and indicate to us what it was like.
“We are also hoping to have it all documented on video. It is just to let people have a sense of how it feels to do things when you can’t see or how it feels to do things sitting in a wheelchair all day or how it feels doing something when you can’t hear anything,” Mills explained.
Mills said there is some stigma attached to the differently-abled and they experience discrimination because of it. He explained that the Government and the SKNPD must work hand-in-glove to stamp out discrimination, and that the “Walk in my shoes” activity in one way that this could take place.
The SKNPD’s President expressed his hope that the businesses and individuals who were written to would accede to the request and participate in the activity.
