Within the community of persons with disabilities worldwide, Disabled People's International represents the global perspective on issues which challenge all people living with disabilities.  Earlier this month, DPI hosted its Seventh World Assembly in Seoul, Korea which provided the first opportunity to discuss this most vital treaty to the future human rights issues surrounding special needs.  Since the availability of the UN Convention o the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Miss Roslyn Hurley spoke very highly of the event.

As President of BARNOD and Special Envoy for Persons with Disabilities I had the opportunity to attend the 7th World Assembly in Seoul Korea from September 4 ? 8, 2007.  Also in attendance were Alinda Brathwaite, Perro Holloway, and Janelle Skinner all members of the Barbados National Organization of the Disabled.

It was a gathering of 2500 people from 71 Countries who met in Korea to discuss the issues which relates to Disabled People world wide. The implementation and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was one of the main issues as this is the first step towards addressing human rights of persons with disabilities.  There were several work shops which focused on areas such as Living Independently, Children and Youth with Disabilities, Right to life, Equality and non discrimination, work and employment and an adequate standard of living.

The experience was truly enlightening and educational as we not only dealt with the issues which relates to Persons with Disabilities but we also had the opportunity to experience the Korean?s culture, food and hospitality which was all remarkable.     

The Caribbean and Latin-America were very well represented at the world assembly as demonstrated by the number of positions on the world executive filled by persons from these regions.  Mr. George Daniel of Trinidad and Tobago has been elected to serve as the Deputy Chair while the current chair hails from Peru.

Barbados became a signatory to the UN Convention back in August joining the other 101 countries who signed on to the document.  However, to date, only five countries have ratified the convention which requires twenty signatures in order for it to be fully ratified. On a positive note, two of the five countries are from the Caribbean as both Jamaica and Cuba have signed and ratified the convention.

The Barbados Council for the Disabled remains committed to seeing our nation not only sign, but ratify the UN Convention and to take it a step further an speed up the process of implementation.  Events like the World Assembly in Seoul which offers representation from organizations such as BARNOD, encourages us to be proud of the achievements in the fight for equality and inclusion.  It also re-emphasizes how much further we have to go to attain equality.