Disability association to present a proposal to government

The executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities will be meeting this Thursday to finalise a proposal to be presented to the government regarding issues affecting its members.
Bernard Warner, president of the body, said the document will also outline what the association expects of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) within its new term.
“We will be discussing the Equal Opportunity and Disability Bill to look at the implementation phase, which is to set up the national council for persons living with disabilities and the various arms within the Act that need to be put in place to ensure that the act truly represents our interest,” Warner said.
He also highlighted housing among the list of priorities for members of the association since many are living in a deplorable state.
Warner said people are also in need of employment and adequate training so that they can be gainfully employed.
“The whole idea of the National Vocational Centre for Persons with Disabilities has not been duly supported, so that persons with disabilities can really have the tools to seek better employment. These are some of the things that need to be prioritised,” Warner said.
He also noted that many disabled people within the country are struggling to obtain basic medical equipment they need for their personal use.