The President of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association is urging more inclusion for visually impaired and blind people. Anthony Avril says unemployment, poor accessibility and rising safety concerns still keep many from living independently and fully participating in society.
Speaking to St. Lucia Times, Avril said that people with blindness and visual impairment have the same hopes as everyone else, but they are often not given equal opportunities.
“People living with blindness and vision impairment are very much part of the society that we live in. They want to be able to benefit from the good of society, but also to have the opportunity to contribute,” Avril said.
He pointed out that finding jobs is one of the biggest challenges for association members.
“One of the biggest issues for our clientele is employment,” he explained. “We would like to get to a place where employment would be almost like a human right because, yes, we have a right to receive an education and a right to live. If you are going to be able to affirm this right, you ought to be able to look after your needs.”
But Avril said their goal is about more than just financial independence.
“For us, we are saying we do not only want to be able to cater for our needs, but also to contribute to the society that we live in,” he added.
Avril also said that accessibility is still a big problem. Many public spaces, services, and buildings are not easy for people with visual impairments to use.
He also raised concerns about safety and security, saying it is becoming a bigger issue.
“Accessibility remains a big challenge, and unfortunately now security has been becoming a major issue,” he said. “When we speak security, it’s not only local security. Security is almost like a multi-level concern because unfortunately it seems the world is bent on a path of doing everything possible to take away your rights of being secured.”
Many people living with blindness face these barriers every day.
Sarah Joseph, 64, said her biggest challenge is not losing her sight, but having to get by in a world that often does not consider people with visual impairments. She developed glaucoma at age 33.
“People think blindness means we can’t work or be independent, but that’s not what it is. What we need (or I need) are opportunities and environments that allow us to participate,” Joseph said.
She explained that simple things like crossing busy roads, entering buildings without tactile guides, or using public transportation can be overwhelming.
“There are days when I want to go somewhere on my own, but I’m forced to depend on someone else because there aren’t enough disability friendly things. Independence shouldn’t be a privilege,” she said.
Joseph agreed with Avril about the challenges of finding work. She said that many qualified people with visual impairments have trouble getting jobs because of misconceptions about what they can do.
“We study, we train, and we develop skills like everyone else. All we’re asking for is the chance to prove ourselves. We don’t want sympathy; we want equal opportunities,” she added.
As the association keeps working for change, Avril hopes that more awareness will bring real improvements. He wants Saint Lucia to become a place where people who are blind or visually impaired can live with dignity, safety and equal opportunity.
