By Shermain Bique-Charles
Antigua and Barbuda is set to host the fifth Continental Congress on Community Based Rehabilitation in the Americas, the first of its kind to be held in the Caribbean.
This year, from October 25 to 27, hundreds of people from around the world will converge at the Royalton Hotel to participate in the conference, spearheaded by the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons Living with Disabilities and the government
The major congress is aimed at working towards the fulfillment of the right of persons with disabilities.
It is also geared at providing a platform for the advancement of global, regional, and national discourse.
President of the Disability Association, Bernard Warner, told our newsroom yesterday that the congress is designed to create an environment where the success and achievements of people living with disabilities can be shared with “grassroots people.”
He said the congress will also help create an environment for people with disabilities to network with each other, with the aim of receiving more support.
Autistic technology, health equity, employment for people with disabilities, their right to work, gender sensitivity, youths with disabilities, and caregivers are among the topics to be discussed by over twenty presenters from across the globe.
Warner said that high on the agenda is climate resiliency, including disaster risk management, mitigation, evacuation, communication barriers, and disaster and shelter management practice.
“The congress is very inclusive, because it brings together those who are very academic and those who are challenged in one space,” he shared.
Access to justice for people with disabilities and community-based inclusive education is also on the program of the upcoming congress.
“This event is set to put Antigua and Barbuda on the map, and by extension, the Caribbean. Representatives from all the countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Asia are expected to attend,” Warner added.
Warner said he negotiated to get the congress to be held in the twin-island nation at a similar congress in Ecuador way back in 2007.
“When we got the nudge to go ahead by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and the Social Transformation Minister Dean Jonas, we knew how much this would be of benefit to the island. It is really a big deal,” he added.
Over 1000 people are expected to participate both physically and virtually. Officials from PAHO and the World Health Organisation are also expected to attend
The government has pumped over $100,000.00 into funding the conference, which will be held under the theme: Closing the Gap, Reducing the Risk to Structure Dialogue and Networking.