THE Persons with Disabilities (PWD) movement has made great progress over the years, but there is still much more to do. Today’s PWD advocates are better prepared to face the difficulties ahead.
Minister for People with Disabilities Jeremiah Norbert is leading the charge to ensure that people with disabilities are properly integrated into society, where they can make important and equitable contributions.
Despite ongoing stigmas surrounding physically challenged people, the minister remains optimistic about achieving behavioural change in the community. People with disabilities are rising above their problems all around the world, and it is time for local society to do the same.
To commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Saint Lucia had an official ceremony and mini-concert. The occasion featured strong statements from government leaders, representatives from the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association, and personal tributes from people with disabilities.
Minister Norbert declared that individuals should live in a culture where “inclusion, empowerment, and equality are not just ideals, but living realities.”
He emphasised that today is a watershed moment in policymaking and the importance of people-centred policies inside the administration.
“We are ushering in a new era of care; one of inclusion and positive change for a sector of society that has historically been overlooked,” he declared.
The Minister cited a 2010 census, which revealed that at least 12% of the population has some type of handicap. He emphasised that disability affects people in a variety of ways, including health concerns, accidents, and violence, and that these numbers are increasing.
“However, we have yet to see a corresponding shift in societal responses,” the minister complained. “As we approach 2024, we are confronted with a glaring gap in how we address the needs of Persons with Disabilities in Saint Lucia.”
Minister Norbert noted that “disability encompasses a wide spectrum,” and that people frequently suffer invisible problems that require understanding and help. He stated that constructing a dedicated facility for people with disabilities provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to alter both their lives and Saint Lucia’s societal landscape.
Anthony Avril, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA), described the long route to recognition, which began in the early 1960s when the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind lobbied the government to create a School and Workshop for the Blind.
That project grew into the SLBWA in 1972, setting the way for the establishment of the St. Lucia Association for the Deaf and the St. Lucia Association for the Mentally Retarded in the 1970s and 1980s, each with their own agendas.
Avril described how the International Year of the Child in 1979 gave a chance for these organisations to band together and start a thorough education campaign to increase awareness about disabilities in Saint Lucia.
“In 1981, with the celebration of the International Year of Persons with Disabilities (IYDP), we resolved to effect lasting change,” he said.
Avril took on the task of spearheading this campaign to guarantee that the spirit of IYDP was preserved.
This resulted in an island-wide mobilisation drive and the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, which aimed to ensure that individuals in rural regions could get assistance alongside their urban counterparts through partnership.
Avril noted that as the 1980s turned into the 1990s, it became evident that elderly people with impairments were being disregarded.
To address this, the SLBWA collaborated with Helpage St. Lucia to establish Club 60 clubs throughout the island, which culminated in the founding of the National Council for Older Persons.
“This initiative was designed to bridge the generational divide,” Avril said. “A nation cannot thrive without uniting the wisdom of older citizens and the energy of youth.”
He proudly added that Saint Lucia has contributed to the development of regional networks to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.
Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity and Social Justice, emphasised the department’s constant commitment “to creating an inclusive, equitable, and empowering society where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive.”
Addressing the audience, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre bravely revealed that he was born with a foot deformity that required surgery abroad. He emphasised his triumph over these challenges by actively participating in athletics and serving in the Cadet Corps.
After graduating from a tertiary institution, he gained national leadership. He encouraged the PWD community to persevere in their efforts, emphasising, “You possess the ability and capability,” and assuring them that the government is unshakeable in its commitment to guaranteeing their inclusion in society.
The Prime Minister stated that during the following budget presentation, “all institutions that support differently-abled individuals will receive increased funding from the government.”
NCPD President Merphilus James emphasised the organization’s essential role, stating that since 1981, it has worked tirelessly to empower the nation’s community of Persons with Disabilities via advocacy and strong collaborations with the government and other stakeholders.
James added: “We implement programmes that promote equality, independence, and economic empowerment.”
He emphasised the accomplishments of the Mobile Disability Aid Clinic, which has provided persons with high-quality wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches, as well as constructed prosthetic legs right here in Saint Lucia, all at a fraction of the cost found elsewhere.
Furthermore, he stated that NCPD members are actively involved in agricultural initiatives like aquaponics, which supply hotels and shops in the southern region.
“These projects demonstrate that when people with disabilities are given the right environment and robust support through enabling policies and legislation, we can function in this society on an equal footing with others,” James said.