The government is creating a National Disability Policy and a Disability Unit within the Ministry of Crime Prevention to improve services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
On Monday, Jeremiah Norbert, Minister for Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, shared an update on these developments with the media.
Norbert has confirmed that a staff structure is in the process of being developed to efficiently manage the affairs of the Disability Unit. Additionally, he declared the establishment of a Disability Registry aimed at greatly enhancing the services provided by the department.
“This year, the Prime Minister allocated funds to establish the Disability Unit and hire dedicated staff,” Minister Norbert announced.
The staff’s initial responsibilities will involve establishing the Disability Registry and clarifying the criteria for classification as a Person With Disability. The Unit is set to initiate a public relations campaign aimed at informing the public about its mandate and outlining the criteria for recognizing individuals with disabilities.
“We are creating a Disability Registry, as there is currently no standardized method to identify individuals with disabilities, including the issuance of identification cards or appropriate stickers,” Norbert stated.
The Minister emphasized that the unit is tasked with developing a National Policy for PWDs, with support from a consultant financed by a Taiwanese grant.
“We received the first and second drafts, and the unit will be focused on reviewing them to finalize the National Disability Policy,” he clarified.
He emphasized that the misunderstandings and mockery directed at PWDs call for a strong public relations campaign to promote awareness of their rightful position in society.
Another important concern highlighted by Norbert is the difficulty encountered by individuals with physical disabilities, like amputees, in obtaining prosthetics. The department is currently collaborating with organizations such as the Blind Welfare Association and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) to tackle these issues.
Norbert observed that the primary challenges are the accessibility and cost of prosthetics. He disclosed that two international agencies and “interested” local businesspeople have been approached to set up a dedicated location for this purpose.
Prime Minister Pierre has designated around $300,000 to launch a Prosthetics Centre. Historically, the NCPD has manufactured prosthetics on a limited scale utilizing ‘donated parts’ from donor agencies.
With those funds no longer available, it is now essential to seek alternative solutions. The primary objective is to create a Prosthetics Centre that will benefit not just Saint Lucia, but the broader sub-region as well.
Norbert emphasized that individuals with different disabilities, such as visual, auditory, and physical impairments, will be acknowledged under the Persons With Disabilities category.
He emphasized that the duties of established agencies will stay unchanged, as the unit will work alongside them to improve their capabilities and supply essential resources for furthering their missions.