New initiative aims to turn disability rights into livelihoods

A new nationwide initiative on inclusion of people with disabilities is set to equip participants with income-generating skills and linking advocacy with real-world opportunity.

The AccessAbility: Pathways to Independence programme, launched on Thursday, brings together the Rotary Club of Barbados South, the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) and the Ministry of Labour in a major collaboration marking the Month of the Disabled.

The programme, unveiled at the Marriott hotel in Hastings, aims to shift disability advocacy from policy to practical, life‑changing action.

The initiative follows the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act that was passed last year and new provisions in this year’s Budget. It is designed to equip participants with tangible, income‑generating skills ranging from digital literacy and financial management to “accessible agriculture”.

Projects director for the BCD, Shem Scantlebury, reflected on the project’s core philosophy, emphasising that the scale of the challenges faced by the disabled community cannot be tackled in isolation.

“There are limits to what any one of us can do for ourselves, but there is far more we can achieve through collaboration when we come together with intention,” Scantlebury said. “This initiative is not symbolic; it’s practical. It’s about building confidence, developing skills, and ensuring that persons are in a better position to participate meaningfully in the workforce.”

Jacklyn Broomes, president of the Rotary Club of Barbados South, provided an overview of the curriculum. She noted that the programme’s theme, “Breaking Barriers”, serves as a direct response to the gaps still present in Barbadian society.

“Progress is often not about policy; it is about what people experience in their everyday lives,” Broomes said. “We are not just hosting sessions, but building a learning environment grounded in real‑world application. These are not just abstract topics; these are practical, income‑generating skills that can build confidence and create real opportunities.”

She also highlighted a “train‑the‑trainer” session scheduled for Saturday, to ensure the programme’s knowledge remains sustainable within the community.

BCD president Patricia Padmore‑Blackman hailed the partnership for creating “bridges” rather than just programmes. She emphasised that the inclusion of sensitivity training for Rotarians themselves would enrich the organisation’s ability to serve.

“When service organisations like the Rotary Club join hands with communities of persons with disabilities, we create bridges,” Padmore‑Blackman said. “Together, we are shaping a Barbados where every citizen can contribute with their talents and thrive. As Helen Keller said: Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

The programme fits into the government’s Mission Barbados framework, according to Faye Prescod, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector.

A new Third Sector Commission to further support NGOs and civil society has been funded in the government’s estimates for the new fiscal year that begins next month.

“Real progress is achieved when policy is translated into action,” Prescod said. “True inclusion is not only about opportunity, it is about removing barriers. This programme ensures that national commitments to inclusion are reflected in tangible outcomes for individuals and communities.”

The AccessAbility programme will roll out over the coming weeks, utilising subject‑matter experts and Rotarian mentors.