News Releases
Access to employment
By Barbados Council for the disabled
Mar 24, 2008, 8:57

As this year’s Month of the Disabled draws to a close, we at the Barbados Council for the Disabled continue to look towards the future in which a more inclusive Barbados will become a reality and not merely a dream. 

With an increase in the number of business houses which designate specific parking for the disabled, we are heartened by the community mindedness being demonstrated.  The Council continues to do its part to encourage this growth by distributing the Public Service Parking IDs.  The Parking Id programme was begun in 2002 with the support of the Pan American Health Organisation.  The stock was exhausted in 2007 and now with the aid of the National Disabilities Unit and the Glenhuron Offshore bank, we have been able to replenish our stock.  The Ids are provided free of cost to persons with mobility challenges; these challenges may be related to a disability or debilitating condition. Persons with a “visible” disability – wheelchair user, amputee or visually impaired – can apply for the Id either online or at the council’s office.  All other persons desirous of receiving such ids must have a supporting letter from their doctor or their physiotherapist.  Since their inceptions, these parking IDs or Permits have made it easier to identify those vehicles transporting an individual with a disability.  It is extremely gratifying to the Council that these permits are recognised by not only the members of the police force, but also many security guards and parking attendants.

Coupled with this growth in awareness demonstrated with the designated parking must be an equal provision of employment opportunities.  Far too many competent persons with disabilities remain marginalised to an existence of little community value.  It is not through a desire not to contribute, but the reality that daily their applications for gainful meaningful employment are rejected. 

The major challenge is of course ignorance on the part of would-be employers.  It is perceived that employing a person with a disability will present challenges and risks that they are in no way capable of handling.  Hiring a person with a disability – like hiring any new staff member – will have its differences.  However, each disability – like every individual – is unique and what may be required in some instances will not be required in others.  

It is therefore one of the main objectives of the Council to increase the awareness of the general public on the level of untapped skills available within the disabled community. 

Tackling the question of increased accessibility and employment opportunities is a very large challenge and in some respects someone daunting.  It all boils down to the same underlying thing which is the attitude of mainstream society towards the disabled.  There have been some improvements over time, but these improvements while encouraging still leave a large area that needs to be addressed.  Persons with disabilities have proven to be very loyal, dedicated workers.

We wish to leave you with the recognition that we the members of the disabled community are not asking for handouts or special treatment.  What we are seeking are serious attempts by the public to accept us for what we are, people.  People with the same rights, needs and desires as any other member of the community and therefore we only want the opportunity to exercise our rights!