• Emergency Preparedness
  • Contact The BCD
Barbados Council for the Disabled
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
    • Board of Directors 2019-2021
    • Our Members
    • Our Projects
  • About Disabilities
  • What We Do
    • Disability Sensitivity Training
    • Empowerment Card
    • Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB)
    • Parking ID
  • Media
  • Events
  • Forms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
    • Board of Directors 2019-2021
    • Our Members
    • Our Projects
  • About Disabilities
  • What We Do
    • Disability Sensitivity Training
    • Empowerment Card
    • Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB)
    • Parking ID
  • Media
  • Events
  • Forms
No Result
View All Result
Barbados Council for the Disabled
No Result
View All Result
Home BCD News

Legislation soon to protect the disabled

October 10, 2017
in BCD News, Featured News
person sitting in wheel chair

The Ministry of Social Care is in the process of enacting legislation to protect the disabled community and a draft Bill is now before the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

In her address on Thursday at the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados’ Midterm Delegates’ Conference at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Minister of Labour, Senator Dr Esther Byer Suckoo, expressed optimism that the Bill would be debated soon.

She said that “sometime in the very near future, we will have on our statute books, legislation to protect one of our society’s most vulnerable groups”.

Dr Byer Suckoo contended that over the years, Barbados had sought to create mechanisms to maintain high standards of care and due diligence regarding the rights and protection of the disabled.

In this regard, the Minister of Labour said significant efforts had been made to provide support services to integrate persons with disabilities into the labour force through skills training provided by the National Disabilities Unit.

Given this scenario, the Minister told her audience that one must dispel the notion that a disabled person was one who was unable to help themselves, effectively function in society, or someone who was confined at home and unable to work.

“We should all be aware now that disability and disabled persons form a spectrum. You have those with mild disabilities to those who have extreme and severe disabilities. So, there is no one cap fits all; we have to realise that there is a spectrum. I am hopeful by now that all of you will agree that disability does not signify inability. In fact, in most cases, it is not inability,” she emphasised.

Senator Byer Suckoo reminded the participants that the ‘differently-abled’ were just as valuable to the island’s economic growth and prosperity as able-bodied workers, and that all efforts must be made to ensure that they were not marginalised.

“As a nation, it is imperative that we must never forget that our overall productivity and growth is dependent on the inclusion of all persons in our labour force. When all individuals are engaged in decent employment, it not only reduces unemployment figures, it also reduces the burden on those state agencies mandated to provide services; provides support to families; and gives the individual a sense of self-worth,” she said.

Previous Post

BTPA makes a case for tourism access for the disabled

Next Post

Park 'n' Wheel Simulation a Great Success!

Next Post
Sean Cooke and Christopher Gilkes hold up a bumper sticker with the tagline "dis the sign, Pay de Fine".

Park 'n' Wheel Simulation a Great Success!

4 Useful Tips for Spending time with the Blind
Click here to Volunteer with the Council Ever heard the saying “it’s better to give than to receive” well that also applies to time. By volunteering we support an organization or cause and make a great difference in our communities. It’s also a great way to meet new people and learn about the challenges they face daily. Consider giving more than just money, give your time !

HOW WE HELP

At the Council for the Disabled, We help persons with various disabilities from all walks of life, be they resident of, or visitors to Barbados, by providing accessible transportation, property assessment with the aim of getting accessible. braille translation, beach wheelchairs, sign language interpreters and much…

GET IN TOUCH

(246) 629-0574

Barbados Council for the Disabled
Harambee House, The Garrison
St Michael, Barbados

Barbados Council for the Disabled Logo
Copyright ©
Barbados Council for the Disabled
All rights reserved.
Website designed and developed by:
creativecycle
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
    • Board of Directors 2019-2021
    • Our Members
    • Our Projects
  • About Disabilities
  • What We Do
    • Disability Sensitivity Training
    • Empowerment Card
    • Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB)
    • Parking ID
  • Media
  • Events
  • Forms