Anguilla’s Governor, Alistair Harrison, and Minister of Social Development, Edison Baird, lauded the recently-held National Forum on Disability in joint broadcasts on Radio Anguilla.
The Governor was pleased that his office was able, in a modest way, to sponsor the forum. He described the assistance as partly a practical gift of resources, and a demonstration of the commitment of the British Government and the Governor’s Office to national development.
“The forum looks at a very important topic which I suspect that most of us don’t really give enough attention to, and that is the rights and needs of people with disabilities,” Governor Harrison said in his radio address. “Most of us are lucky enough not to suffer from disabilities but it is right that from time to time we should turn our attention to those sort of special needs.”
Mr. Harrison was of the view that the Paralympics which followed the Olympic Games in London had probably resulted in persons in Anguilla thinking to some extent what people with disabilities could achieve. “The Paralympics were the largest of their kind ever, the best attended, the most watched around the world,” he continued. “I am sure that many people on Anguillla were following the Paralympics just avidly as they had earlier followed the Olympic Games.
“The Paralympics demonstrate that being disabled does not mean that you’re cut out from the sort of activities that we all enjoy, and cut out from the possibility of achieving the very best that you can. I think we perhaps should carry those positive thoughts forward as we think about the national forum.”
The Governor, who has responsibility for Anguilla’s foreign obligations, said there was a need to fulfil the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities. “It’s an important convention and it’s extended to Anguilla through the United Kingdom as is normal with United Nations Conventions,” he went on. “It’s very good news that Anguilla is meeting the minimum standards that are set out in the convention.”
Minister Edison Baird stressed that the anticipated outcomes of the forum were of much importance. He listed them as follows: disabled persons would have a voice in a national setting and continue efforts to form an association; the public would become more aware and show interest in this social issue; and the groundwork would be laid for the formation of a working group charged with the development of a national policy on disability.
The Minister continued: “Currently, legislation, policy, programmes and services are inadequate to protect the rights and cater to the needs of disabled persons. This is coupled with limited action, awareness and sensitivity to the issue. A more person-centred and holistic approach is required in order to achieve a society where there is no discrimination, and where equal opportunity prevails. It is only then that social inclusion and participation in national development will be a privilege held by all residents on Anguilla…
“Think of the effect that disability can have on an individual’s daily life and overall quality of life, his or her family, his or her carer or carers, social services and the nation as a whole. If not managed properly and in the framework of preventing possible co-related events, the effects can be worsened for all the entities mentioned. If quality of life is not assessed and reassessed for the best possible care solutions, then an individual can deteriorate further – to the point where more resources will be necessary to ensure that individual’s well being.
“It is therefore all too important that access to education including continuing education, healthcare, employment, recreation, general mobility, information and communication networks, family support systems, social protection and social safety nets and physical access to buildings, roads etc., does not preclude disabled persons from reaching their true potential. Any barriers to participation must be removed.”
