Across Barbados, the Performing Arts have often been used to highlight a number of critical issues in our society.  From local calypsonians joining together to warn young people against drug abuse, to the HIV/Aids Commission shocking Bridgetown with their thought provoking dramatic presentations, the Arts have long been used to get a message of sensitisation to various sectors of the community. 

During March � the Month of the Disabled, the Barbados Council for the Disabled will continue in this tradition with �Speaking out � Puppetry in Action� highlightin our concern through the medium of puppetry.

Five students and their professor will arrive in Barbados as part of the Council�s Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme.   This year�s activities will mark the third in the series of partnership activities for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy students from Quinnipiac University, USA and persons with disabilities in Barbados.  The programme was started through the efforts of the Albert Sweitzer Institute, which promotes  humanitarian activities through out the world.  Over the past two years, students have worked with local therapists, persons with disabilities and their caregivers, by doing individual and group assessments as well as presenting individual workshops for both caregivers and professionals in related fields.

This year�s programme takes leave from the clinical pattern, students will utilise the art of puppetry to spread the word about persons with disabilities and to debunk previously held myths.  The puppet shows are part of the programmes developed by �Kids on the Block� Inc.  The hand-crafted puppets were created by the Kids on the Block puppet programme who create both the puppets and their scripts with information videos and other interactive packages.  From HIV/AIDS awareness to disabilities, substance abuse and gang violence; the programme is used to help children and young adults gain greater insight in to a variety of today�s challenges. 

The Council and its partners have identified a number of schools and projects to which the puppeteers will engage students and young adults in interactive sessions of shows with question and answer sessions. The programme is scripted to raise awareness and teach children about Autism, Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy. 
 

The aim of  the project is to build on the natural unconditional love demonstrated by children.  Many children warmly accept others with a variety of differences without question. The programme will facilitate greater awareness on how to interact with children living with challenges.

It is our view, that raising awareness and  educating young people about challenges affecting others contributes in building a more inclusive society for the future and even today�s homes will benefit as children invariably share what they learn with their families.
While in Barbados, the Quinnipiac students will work with local talent � including persons with disabilities � to train them in the use of the puppets and to prepare them to continue the programme.  CBR is an ongoing project of the council which currently involves a part-time physiotherapist servicing persons who can not otherwise access therapy; the puppets will add a new dimension to the campaign.

Community-Based Rehabilitation emphasises the embracing of persons with challenges in their neighbourhoods and immediate environs.  With programmes such as �Speaking Out � Puppetry in Action�, Barbados will move another step closer towards building a true community.
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