With a general election six days away, the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) called on political parties to back campaign pledges with concrete measures, warning that promises mean little without tangible improvements in the lives of people with disabilities.
BCD operations manager Roseanne Tudor said the council had heard little mention of its priorities, including plans for a respite centre, and that the concerns outlined in its policy brief had not been fully examined.
She said: “The recent manifesto, the BLP, I heard some of it was addressed as well. I think this morning I heard the prime minister mention two facilities earmarked in two constituencies specifically referencing what we are asking for — respite facilities that can meet our needs.”
Tudor condemned the current practice of placing disabled individuals in psychiatric hospitals due to a lack of purpose-built facilities.
“Our young adults can function in these facilities similarly to how elderly citizens are supported. There are many young adults who could thrive in an assisted living facility, but they end up in psychiatric hospitals, not because of a psychological problem, but because no appropriate facility exists to accommodate them.”
She also highlighted the need for disability grants to cover daily living expenses, noting the high cost of therapy and transportation.
“That is one area I know they’re looking at expanding — disability grants to include other disability groups. We’re appreciative of that, but it needs to be relatable to the daily living of persons with disabilities, especially when therapy and transportation costs are so high.”
The operations manager raised concerns about the absence of reliable national data on persons with disabilities, calling for a centralised system to collect and coordinate information across ministries.
“The only data available is from those registered with the National Disabilities Unit or with us for parking IDs. Ministries could collaborate to set up a central data processing unit for persons with disabilities, accessing information collected across welfare, housing, and other services. Responsible and effective use of this data is critical.”
Tudor noted there had been little engagement from other political parties.
“I don’t even think the other parties have had time to look at our policy because I’m not hearing anything from them. Nobody has approached us except our minister.”
Reflecting on more than 25 years of advocacy, Tudor praised social care minister Kirk Humphrey for his partnership with the council.
“We have been advocating for a lot of these changes,” she said. “Progress is incremental, but having a minister who works with us, not just talks to us, has helped move our needs forward. We got lucky with a minister so socially conscious of the vulnerable. I try to capitalise on opportunities like that.”
The post Disabled community turns up heat on parties over disability agenda appeared first on Barbados Today.
