In October this year, the International Labour Organisation conducted a programme on Labour Market Integration of Persons with Disabilities; a programme that brought together participants from Africa, Asia, Latin-America, Europe and the Caribbean.  For 10 days, students were bombarded by a whirlwind of ideas on the ways in which people with disabilities can be included in mainstream employment.

One of the most outstanding realities forced on everyone was not so much how to adapt offices to suit the disabled.  It was not even the explosion of assistive technology which effectively levels off the playing field and which, within the changing face of business, affords people with disabilities an opportunity to be fully employed.  What was most striking was the fact that countries that do not embrace and actively encourage the employment of the disabled are robbing themselves. 

According to statistics gathered by the World Bank’s Disability Development team, disability is the single most impacting phenomenon worldwide.  It is estimated that in households where there are persons with disabilities, the family is more likely to experience poverty; children are less likely to enjoy a full and effective education.  Canada has estimated that the loss to their economy by not employing the disabled runs into tens of million dollars annually.

Translating all of these details in to a Barbadian perspective, we are faced with a similar dilemma.  Annually, members of our work force become “medically boarded” and are sent home to live on pensions.  This means that people who still have a contribution to make t our society are now relegated to mere recipients; in essence, they are told that they can no longer serve their country.  It may be true that their newly acquired disability has reduced their effectiveness in working in their old way, but it does not mean that with retraining they could not continue to do their job or work in another area.
As the curtain falls on this year’s activities to commemorate our forty-one years of Independence, Barbados has much to be proud about.  While this is true, it is still to be deplored that one sector of our community is still unable to attain a longed for independence of their own.  The knowledge that one’s possessions are paid for through the labour of one’s own faculties is one of life’s most rewarding and transforming experiences. 
Earlier this year, our country signed the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities.  In article 27 of the convention, all states and parties are called on to ensure that opportunities are provided to ensure that employment becomes a reality for this integral part of our community. 
When we consider that with an aging population, Barbados will have an increased number of persons with disabilities, the reality is coming that the numbers of persons on disability benefits will also increase.
We must therefore find ways to reduce the number of persons on disability benefits.
It is our hope that by the time our forty-second anniversary rolls around, that a greater number of Barbadians will be able to also join with our nation in celebrating their freedom.