The Ministry of Home Affairs has started the national “See Ability Not Disability” campaign to put inclusion and equity at the heart of efforts to help people better understand disability in Saint Lucia.
The campaign, which features four Saint Lucians as Disability Ambassadors, aims to challenge how people view disability and to highlight the abilities, contributions and experiences of people with disabilities.
This year’s ambassadors are Christy Joseph for the visual impairment community, Kevin Jn Baptiste for people with mobility impairment, Vanessa Louis for hearing or auditory impairment, and Dr Delia Samuel for people with developmental impairment.
Joy Melody Stanley, an 11-year-old on the autism spectrum, created the campaign’s soundtrack. Arthur Allain of Major Records produced the track.
By involving these ambassadors, the Ministry hopes to bring real experiences into the national conversation. The goal is to encourage more acceptance, accessibility, and opportunities for people with disabilities in Saint Lucia.
At the launch this week at the National Television Network in Pointe Seraphin, Leafa Emmanuel, Director for Persons with Disabilities, said the campaign will reach the public through several initiatives in the coming months. “Over the coming months, we will bring this message to the public through campaign ambassadors, billboards, a jingle, and a mini documentary series,” Emmanuel said.
She explained that the documentaries will focus on people with disabilities who are active and productive members of society. This will help show that disability does not stop people from making meaningful contributions.
Minister for Persons with Disabilities Jeremiah Norbert also outlined several initiatives to improve support and accessibility for people with disabilities.
One priority is to collect more detailed information about the disability community to better understand the different types of disabilities, the needs of those affected and the challenges they face.
Norbert said this information would help the Government and the Ministry make more informed decisions and shape policies based on the realities people with disabilities experience.
The Ministry is now working to get a shipment of wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and walking aids. This equipment will be given free of charge to Saint Lucians who need it.
Norbert said this effort is part of a larger plan to remove barriers for people with disabilities, especially when it comes to finding jobs.
The Ministry is also moving forward with a prosthetic factory, which Norbert said should open this month. At first, the factory will provide prosthetic limbs for people who have had below-the-knee amputations, with plans to help more people in the future.
Another important step is the planned opening of the Disabilities Unit building on Brazil Street in late October.
The new facility will offer resources and a dedicated space for people with disabilities, giving them another place to get support and services.
The campaign’s four ambassadors will also help bring more attention to the experiences and achievements of people with disabilities.
