BCD Honourees

Professor, The Right Honourable Owen Seymour Arthur (1949–2020), economist, statesman, and the longest-serving Prime Minister of Barbados, dedicated his life to shaping a modern, inclusive nation. A visionary leader, Arthur served as Prime Minister from 1994 to 2008, during which time he championed economic transformation, regional integration, and social equity.

His enduring legacy includes not only his work on the international stage but also his significant support for marginalized communities at home. In 2006, under his leadership, the Government of Barbados formally opened the building that would become the headquarters of the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) at Harambee House, The Garrison. This symbolic and practical gesture provided the Council with a permanent home from which to anchor its advocacy, outreach, and programming.

Recognizing the critical importance of equitable participation for persons with disabilities, Prime Minister Arthur also increased the Council’s government subvention that same year. This move was a powerful affirmation of his
commitment to ensuring that the work of the Council could be carried out with stability and purpose, helping to elevate the voice and visibility of the disability community in national development.

Through these decisive actions, Owen Arthur not only gave the Council a home but helped secure its future—empowering generations of advocates to push forward the agenda of access, dignity, and inclusion for all.

The Honourable Hamilton Lashley, “The People’s Champion”, former Minister of Social Transformation in the Government of Barbados, is remembered as a passionate advocate for social justice and community empowerment. Rising from humble beginnings, Lashley became known as “The People's Champion” for his deep connection to the grassroots and his relentless commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

As Minister responsible for disability affairs, he played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD). Recognizing the need for a permanent base for the Council’s operations, Lashley identified and secured the building now known as Harambee House. His vision extended beyond acquisition—he championed and facilitated a government grant to support the refurbishment of the premises into a purpose-built facility, designed to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and the organisations that serve them.

Through these efforts, Hamilton Lashley laid the foundation for the Council’s growth as a national leader in advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion. His legacy endures in the strengthened voice and expanded reach of the disability movement in Barbados.

The Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) proudly planted this tree in honour of all Inclusive Schools in Barbados, as a lasting symbol of the nation’s commitment to equity, access, and the right of every child to learn, belong, and thrive within their school communities.

The Olga Millar School is a fitting and meaningful location for this tribute. As a pioneering institution in special and inclusive education, Olga Millar has long stood as a beacon of innovation, compassion, and excellence in supporting learners with diverse needs. Planting this tree on its grounds acknowledges not only its leadership, but also the collective journey of schools across Barbados that have embraced inclusive education in principle and in practice.

As the Ministry of Education advances its educational transformation agenda, inclusive schools are central to shaping a modern, responsive, and equitable education system. These schools model differentiated instruction, learner-centred approaches, collaboration with families, and the integration of support services that recognise each child’s unique abilities and potential.

Inclusive education strengthens national development by:
1. Reducing exclusion and educational marginalisation
2. Promoting early intervention and holistic learner support
3. Preparing educators to respond to diverse learning needs
4. Fostering social cohesion, empathy, and respect from early childhood

For the Barbados Council for the Disabled, inclusive schools are indispensable partners in our ongoing advocacy for full inclusion across all sectors of society. Schools are where attitudes are shaped, barriers are challenged, and the foundation for lifelong participation is laid.

Through initiatives such as the My Inclusive School Competition, disability awareness programmes, teacher training, and collaborative advocacy, the BCD has witnessed first-hand the transformative power of inclusive education. Inclusive schools affirm the Council’s belief that disability is not a limitation, but that barriers arise when systems fail to adapt.

Contribution to National Development

Roslyn Yvette Hurley has been a trailblazer for disability rights and inclusion in Barbados. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth, she transformed personal challenge into a lifelong mission to serve others. Beginning as a volunteer with the Barbados Cancer Society and several homes for the sick and elderly, she quickly recognized the need to advocate for persons with disabilities, a group often left unheard and unseen.

Roslyn joined the Barbados National Organization of the Disabled (BARNOD) in 1997 and went on to serve as President on four occasions, including her first term in 2000. Under her leadership, BARNOD became a powerful platform for uniting persons with all types of disabilities and championing their rights to education, healthcare, employment, and accessibility. She actively encouraged those not part of organizations to join BARNOD,
ensuring that every voice could be heard.

Her impact extended to the national stage when she served as a Director on the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) for four years, sat on the Organization for Parents of Children with Disabilities (OPOD), and acted as Second Chairperson of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Monitoring Committee, holding government accountable to its commitments.

Community Service and Advocacy

In 2003, Roslyn was appointed Special Envoy for Persons with Disabilities, a role that gave her the authority to officially represent the disability community locally, regionally, and internationally. She has spoken at the United Nations in New York, at global conferences in Korea, and across the Caribbean, boldly calling for equality and inclusion.

Roslyn has been tireless in her local advocacy — engaging schools, businesses, and government officials, including the Ministry of Education, to push for inclusive classrooms and equal access to sit national exams. She is a familiar voice on call-in radio programmes, using her platform to educate the public on accessibility and the contributions of persons with disabilities when given opportunities.

She recognizes the importance of social connection for persons with disabilities, organizing annual fun walks, picnics, and holiday events. Each Christmas, she spearheads food basket drives, soliciting sponsorship and personally distributing baskets across Barbados with support from the National Disability Unit and BCD.

Roslyn has also been at the forefront of disaster response, delivering aid to persons with disabilities in Grenada after Hurricane Ivan, coordinating assistance for earthquake victims in Haiti, and providing supplies to Dominica after Hurricane Maria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she ensured timely delivery of food hampers to those most in need.

Awards and Recognition

Roslyn’s decades of service have earned her several prestigious awards, including:

• Pride of Barbados Award (2002) – for outstanding contribution to social and community service.
• Christ Church South Constituency Award (2013) – for highlighting the skills and talents of persons with disabilities.
• Certificate of Recognition (2021) – from the Rotary Club of Barbados South for her dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Humanitarian Service Award (2021) – from the Government of Barbados.

Special Initiatives

Roslyn conceptualized and produced the “Shine Like a Diamond” Pageant (2015), a groundbreaking event to empower young women with disabilities by building confidence and self-esteem. Its success led to a second, more inclusive pageant in 2016 that crowned both a King and Queen, showcasing the skills and potential of young men and women with disabilities.

Legacy and Vision

Roslyn is widely recognized across Barbados, the Caribbean, and internationally as a powerful voice for persons with disabilities. She believes passionately that they should have full opportunities to live, work, and thrive like their able-bodied counterparts. Her tireless efforts, advocacy, and representation have helped shift national dialogue towards inclusion, respect, and equality.

Her work continues to inspire a generation of advocates, and her ultimate hope is for a Barbados where persons with disabilities are fully integrated, respected, and celebrated as equal citizens.