Dear Editor,

In the Caribbean there are over one million people living with some form of disability. This amounts to more than the population of some countries in the region.

Across the Caribbean people with disabilities face discrimination and exclusion. Social exclusion is caused by underlying systemic barriers that limit meaningful participation of people with disabilities in social, economic, and political life. People with disabilities have lower outcomes in education, employment, and health compared to other population groups.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 10 per cent of people with disabilities in the Caribbean are employed. This leads to them being more likely to live in poverty and experience higher rates of violence. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further compounded this situation, deepening the challenges faced by these individuals.

UNESCO adds that meaningful inclusion and participation of people with disabilities is crucial for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Advancing legislation for, with, and by the disabled in the Caribbean is also necessary to protect and promote human rights, in line with the international commitments made through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Too often the narrative and discussions surrounding disability awareness and rights is rooted in a perspective from the able-minded community and this is problematic. The time is now for the policies concerning disability rights to be led by those who are living this reality.

We often view disability as a problem, and as such we fail to see the abilities of those individuals who are so labelled. It is rather unfortunate that in many societies they continue to face social and financial isolation, in addition to the other forms of barriers that hinder their full potential.

One burning issue within the disabled community is that of access to public buildings. In too many instances there are no ramps for wheelchairs or designated parking. For example, at many of our schools and churches those who use wheelchairs have difficulty gaining access to the buildings. in fact, access is almost impossible, where ramps are not available.

Much more work is needed in these areas to ensure inclusivity and access. There is need for a cultural shift that will inevitably lead to the acceptance that we all have a disability. This paradigm shift is urgently needed in order to foster a culture of inclusivity and promote disability awareness.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

@WayneCamo