Last Updated on November 2, 2022, 2:44 AM AST by Anthony Morris
St Kitts and Nevis is committed to providing better living conditions to the differently abled people in the federation. In line with the efforts, Junior Minister responsible for Disability, Isalean Phillip, met the members of St Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SKNAPD) on November 1, 2022.
During the meeting, the involved parties hosted an interactive session at the McKnight Community Centre. The session featured some presentations from the President and Vice President of the SKNAPD and the President of St Kitts Society for the Blind.
Members of both bodies and parents/guardians of persons with a disability also attended the session hosted on November 1.
According to the President of the SKNAPD, Joseph Bergan, meaningful the Association significantly values engagements such as the meeting (on November 1, 2022) as they allow for an honest discussion and exchange of ideas.
Bergan stated, “We are fighting for equal opportunity,” Ultimately, they aimed to have differently-abled persons become self-sufficient and lead independent lives.
Junior Minister Isalean Phillip held a presentation during which she explained that the focus of the Government is on uplifting the vulnerable segments in society, including at-risk youth, senior citizens and differently-abled individuals of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
Minister Isalean Phillip stated, “We realise the need to pay more attention to and invest more in supporting our persons with disabilities/differently-abled. Further, she stated that In their capacity as new ministers, they are trying to build out what this department and unit of the ministry will offer and what we are going to do.”
During the meeting, the Association and Junior Minister Isalean Phillip discussed various subjects. The chief of them included finding a permanent place for the home of the Association.
Further, they also discussed issues like updating legislation to include mandates in the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities; protecting designated parking for the differently-abled and adjusting other traffic regulations along with housing issues.
The parties also discussed ways of reducing the stigma towards disability and increasing employment opportunities, among other things.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
