‘A Voice of our Own’

I will admit that subsequently parking my vehicle behind them and blocking their exit may not be the best thing to do, but I feel some sort of contentment as to my own mind I have delivered some bit of justice to the perpetrator.

Often times we are guilty of putting all of the responsibility for the respect of persons with disabilities on the government and almost none on ourselves.

How many times have you felt uncertain as to how to act or what to say in the presence of someone with a disability? How many times have you thought you were being helpful and you were rebuked by a person with a disability who did not want special treatment? The terms of engagement between persons without disabilities and persons with disabilities in our society are not clearly defined. Why isn’t it defined? Because we do not have the information necessary to understand and appreciate each other.

We hope that the Ministry of Social Development fulfills its responsibilities under the national policy as it relates to public awareness. As the policy notes, “In order to create a public which is both aware and appreciative of the capabilities and human rights of persons with disabilities, the following measures are considered necessary:

(a) Public awareness programmes using all forms of media should be developed and implemented to sensitise the public with respect to the abilities and the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their community.”

The disabled community is eagerly awaiting the government’s public awareness plan of action for sensitising the public.

We also await our invitation to be part of the consultation process as we intend to ensure that awareness takes place between persons without disabilities and persons with disabilities, and does not become a one way street.

I admit that sometimes persons with disabilities can be a bit sensitive when approached but I am also aware that this is due in part to the life experience of struggling and fighting for everything in this country. My personal view is that ignorance is the greatest disability.

Once the government implements the national policy the disabled community will be better equipped to participate in the normal day to day lifestyle of the ordinary Trinidad and Tobago citizen. So the next time you see a person with a disability parking spot practice driving on by, it will be in much demand in the very near future.

For further information on the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled Peoples’ International (TT-DPI) or to offer assistance please contact us tel (868) 624-6060 or email us at dp-itt@yahoo.com or dpi-tt@tstt.net.tt. From the desk of the President of TTDPI