"Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development"

The promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities by organisations of and for persons with disabilities  comes as no surprise. The concept is deeply understood by those who have struggled to gain their basic rights and independence.  However, for many “Action in development” is a challenging concept.

The United Nations discribes “Rights of Persons with Disabilites: Action in development” as the promotion of an understanding of disability issues and the mobilization of support for PWD. The 3 December, UN day of Disabled Persons focuses our attention on international norms and seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities. The day provides an opportunity for participation by all.

Through out the year, PWD in Barbados took practical action in promoting public awareness of the progress and obstacles in implementing policies that would facilitate equal access.

We have campaigned for a fully accessible Barbados including an accessible environment and access to employment, transportation education and training. We have also promoted “Indepedance For All” by producing bumper stickers as well as leaflets giving specifications for access.

In promoting “Action in Development” we note that Government is currently in the process of taking the relevant amendments of the Road Traffic Act to Parliament, this will include legislation pertaining to Parking for PWD. Until then, the Council is committed to a continued campaign against the indiscriminate parking in bays, designated for PWD and will be embarking on a public sensitisation programme.

The council has produced 2000 bumper stickers encouraging persons to respect the accessibility symbol wherever it appears.

In addition we have collaborated with Barbados Association of Rehabilitation Therapists, to reproduce two fliers; one  captioned “Where Are You Parked?” this will be posted at a number of locations where designated parking for PWD is provided. The other flier is an imitation “Parking Violation Ticket” and will be placed on the windshields of vehicles not displaying their disability parking ID and suspected of abusing deignated parking spaces.  The fliers will be distributed on December 3 by teams of volunteers posted at a number of facilities around Barbados.

The council anticipates a greater level of awareness within the public and hope that our efforts will take the implementation of accessibility to another level.