BCD PRIORITY ACTIONS for Disability Inclusion 2026

A Non-Partisan Policy Brief from the Barbados Council for the Disabled “This brief recognizes the progress made by Government while clearly identifying the priority actions still required to ensure persons with disabilities experience inclusion in everyday life.”

1. DATA: THE FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING & INVESTMENT

Disability data remains the single greatest barrier to effective planning, funding, and service delivery. Without accurate, disaggregated data, persons with disabilities remain invisible in national development.

BCD calls for:

• A national disability data framework across Ministries

• Capacity within Ministries to collect, analyse, and apply disability data

• Regular publication of disability statistics to guide policy and investment.

2. HEALTH ACCESS & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Limited access to facilities, communication barriers (especially for Deaf persons), and prohibitive costs for counselling and rehabilitation continue to undermine dignity and well-being.

BCD calls for:

• Fully accessible health facilities offering at the very least “reasonable accommodation.”

• Disability-informed and affordable counselling for persons with and recently acquired disabilities.

• Sign language capability among healthcare professionals

• Sensitivity training across public and private health sectors.

3. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE

While Reimagining Education and the Draft Inclusive Education Policy of the Ministry of Education are welcomed, several children with disabilities remain unsupported or excluded due to weak implementation.

BCD calls for:

• Timely assessments and therapy at early and primary levels

• Adequate child aides and specialist personnel

• Updated Special Education facilities and curricula

• Mandatory disability sensitivity and sign language training for teachers

• Flexible work arrangements for parents and carers

4. EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

Persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers to employment and economic independence. While BCD applauds the Ministry of Labour’s Job Start Program, its sustainability will depend on strong partnerships with the private sector and with BCD.

BCD calls for:

• Enforcement of reasonable accommodation

• Expansion of work-from-home and hybrid employment

• Skills training aligned with modern labour markets

• Incentives for inclusive hiring practices

• Skills of trained persons with disabilities must be utilized in their area of expertise.

5. ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION

Transportation remains a critical enabler of independence, yet many persons with disabilities remain effectively excluded. Members acknowledge and appreciate the increase in accessible buses. However, without reliable and publicly communicated scheduling, persons with disabilities remain disenfranchised and unable to plan work, medical care, or daily life.

BCD calls for:

• A structured, predictable schedule for accessible buses

• Training for transport staff on disability support

• Free travel on government buses for registered persons with disabilities, equal to concessions granted to seniors and school children

• Recognition of transport accessibility as a right, not a privilege

6. HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY & RETROFIT SUPPORT

Many persons with disabilities remain unable to live independently due to inaccessible housing.

BCD calls for:

• Mandatory percentages of accessible units in new government housing

• Expanded grants for retrofitting homes

• Universal design standards benefiting persons with disabilities and the elderly

7. SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AGENCY (SEA): CLARITY & PROTECTION

While the SEA offers promise, clarity is urgently needed to protect disability services. BCD calls for:

• CLEAR service pathways for persons with disabilities

• Protection and expansion of disability-specific services

• Transparent monitoring and sustained stakeholder engagement

Non-Contributory Disability Grants & Support Services The Barbados Council for the Disabled welcomes the introduction of noncontributory disability grants provided to children with disabilities at 50% under the age of 18 and in full upon reaching 18 years. Parents and caregivers have expressed appreciation for this support, which has helped to offset some of the financial pressures associated with caring for a child with a disability. However, financial assistance alone is not sufficient if it is not complemented by accessible and affordable support services, particularly therapeutic interventions. Significant challenges remain:

• The cost of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and related services continues to be prohibitively expensive, often forcing families to seek private services.

• Delays and limited availability of public therapeutic services undermine the intended impact of the grants.

• In some cases, families remain under severe financial strain despite receiving assistance.

• The Council also welcomes the disability grants offered to certain categories of persons with disabilities, while noting that these supports remain limited in scope and eligibility.

BCD calls for:

• Improved delivery, availability, and affordability of therapeutic services for children with disabilities.

• Better integration between financial grants and health, education, and rehabilitation services.

• Gradual expansion of disability grants to cover additional categories and needs over time.

• Grants must work alongside services if families and children are to truly benefit.

8. ADULT RESPITE & CARE FACILITIES

There is an urgent and continued cry for a non-psychiatric respite facility for adults (18+) with disabilities who have aged out of the school system. Too many individuals are placed in psychiatric institutions not because of mental illness, but because there are no alternatives.

BCD calls for:

• Development of age-appropriate respite and care facilities. These are purpose-built facilities that can offer shared living accommodation with others who are not parents. This would develop socialization skills and prepare young adults with disabilities for caring for themselves when their parents or carers are no longer able.

• Support for ageing carers and families. Parents have been crying out for years for respite support. This can be in the form of temporary caregiving facilities where children can be cared for while their parents or caregivers take a breather.

9. ACCESSIBLE TOURISM & INCLUSIVE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT

Tourism is Barbados’ main economic engine — and accessibility must be integral to its future. For decades, BCD has worked through its Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) Programme to ensure that accessibility is factored into tourism planning, development, and standards. FULLY ACCESSIBLE BARBADOS (FAB) has catapulted Barbados as an accessible destination of choice.

BCD calls for:

• Serious inclusion of persons with disabilities in tourism decisionmaking

• Tangible government support for accessibility initiatives The Tourism Development Act speaks to this support but many stakeholers are not aware of the support.

• Integration of FAB standards into tourism development frameworks

• Active marketing of Barbados as a credible, accessible destination, grounded in real access.

FINAL POSITION

Barbados has made meaningful progress. BCD remains committed to a constructive partnership with the Government to support implementation, monitoring, and accountability. The next phase of progress must focus on delivery and impact.

January 2026 (rtudor – operations@bcd.org.bb)