Humphrey focused on making improvements for the disabled

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey has pleaded with Barbadians and businesses to stop discriminatory practices against persons with disabilities.

Speaking on Monday during a picnic held by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Barbados at Pebbles Beach, in recognition of World MS Day, Humphrey said that although the Government had taken several steps to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, including designating special parking spaces for them in Bridgetown, there was still a high level of discrimination.

“We still live in a society where persons discriminate against persons with disabilities. If you walk around here and talk to some of the persons who are here, you will hear stories of people who would have lost their jobs because they started displaying some sign of a disability,” the Minister said.

“I just want to make the plea to Barbadians to please treat persons with disabilities with a bit more kindness. If you see a person in need of help, give them help,” he added, stressing that people with disabilities have many skills that can benefit the country and “if we continue to discriminate against persons with disabilities, we lose a significant part of our society and a significant part of our talent pool”.

Humphrey disclosed that the Government had recently taken another step to ease the transportation difficulties the disabled community faces.

“The Ministry has just acquired two vehicles that will be able to help move persons with disabilities – two brand new vehicles that are equipped to be able to better move persons with disabilities – and we hope to have those on the road very soon, and to make sure that we can do better in that department,” he said.

President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Barbados, Maria Holder-Small, was pleased to see members of the association out on a day used globally to raise awareness and campaign with persons affected by MS.

She said the members wished to have a proper beach outing that included swimming.

“The members are here at Pebbles Beach with the able assistance of the Barbados Coast Guard who gave them the opportunity to go into the sea today. That is all the members wanted for today, nothing else, when they were asked what they wanted to do for World MS Day. So, we are eternally grateful for the Barbados Defence Force who we would normally send our correspondence, and they, in turn, connected us with the Coast Guard,” Holder-Small said.
(SB)