The Barbados National Strategic plan 2005-2025 is a document, which has been designed to guide the path of National Policy for the next 24 years.  It represents a template for future endeavours and the focus necessary to advance Barbados

There are however, some areas of our national plan that relates to persons with disabilities (PWD) that needs to be evaluated. 
 
The plans as they relate to PWD are sadly lacking and certainly confusing, the text refers to   PWD in a variety of ways.  In some sections of the document we are acknowledged correctly as “persons with disabilities”, in others as “the differently abled” or as “the disabled”.  The preferred language is that which sees the person first and the disability second, hence the term “person with a disability”.

Another aspect for concern refers to the “integration” of PWD to “integrate” as it relates to PWD, suggests that the minority must conform to the majority. For example page 96 “find innovative ways of fully integrating the differently-abled“ the statement requires that PWD assimilate into what already exists without moving established barriers, it suggests intolerance and tokenism. One example of this approach can be found on page 108, which states, “Integrate fully the vulnerable and the differently-abled into our society and implement initiatives to use their abilities and improve the quality of their lives”. 

This statement can be viewed as highly offensive or on the other hand it can be viewed as an accurate description of what currently exists. The statement suggests that society is void of PWD or that PWD is not part of Barbadian society it does not take into account that PWD has wide ranging abilities and can be found in ever strata of society. Approximately thirteen percent of persons with disabilities are born with their disability, whereas, the other eighty seven percent acquire their disability sometime during their life.

 We would suggest that policy makers consider the “inclusion” of PWD as opposed to the “integration” of PWD, to include means part of, to embrace and to involve; and implies acceptance of diversity. The responsibility no longer lies with the PWD to integrate but with the service provider to include PWD in their plans.

The presentation of gender issues and gender discrimination are well laid out and indicate that much thought went into the objectives.  Evidently, consultation was conducted with representatives in this area, it is regretted that similar consultation was not carried out with PWD. 

In attempting to highlight the inequality in the objectives as set out in the strategic plans we have adopted and adapted four stated objectives, which would embrace PWD

• Conduct disability sensitive training at all levels of public services, private sector and the community.

• Promote disability mainstreaming so that equality of opportunity can be achieved.

• Strengthen existing relationships and further development of linkages with local, regional and international agencies, working in the area of disability and development and participation in the activities of these agencies.

• Amend legislation where necessary to reflect disability equality

It has been encouraging to learn that the revised constitution will, for the first time, ensure equal rights for persons with disabilities. For this reason we look forward to the adoption of the revised constitution. We also look forward to meaningful inclusion of PWD in policy development and all service provision.