With Barbados’ general election merely six days away, the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) has issued a powerful appeal to political parties, urging them to substantiate their campaign promises with actionable measures. The council emphasized that mere pledges hold negligible value without resulting in tangible enhancements to the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Roseanne Tudor, Operations Manager of the BCD, expressed concern over the scant attention given to the council’s priorities in political discourse. Key issues, such as plans for establishing a dedicated respite center, along with the comprehensive concerns detailed in their policy brief, have received insufficient examination. Tudor did acknowledge hearing the Prime Minister reference the allocation of two facilities in specific constituencies that align with their requests for adequate respite care during a recent manifesto address.
A significant point of condemnation was the ongoing practice of housing disabled individuals in psychiatric hospitals, a direct consequence of the absence of purpose-built facilities. Tudor argued that many young adults could prosper in assisted living environments, similar to elderly care models, rather than being institutionalized for non-psychological reasons.
Furthermore, the discussion extended to the critical need for disability grants that genuinely reflect the high costs of daily living, particularly for therapy and transportation. While appreciative of considerations to expand these grants to include more groups, Tudor stressed that the amounts must be realistically calibrated to actual expenses.
The absence of reliable, centralized national data on persons with disabilities was another major concern raised. Tudor proposed a collaborative inter-ministerial system to process information collected from welfare, housing, and other services, underscoring the necessity for its responsible and effective utilization to inform policy.
Reflecting on over 25 years of advocacy, Tudor noted a notable lack of engagement from most political parties aside from the current social care minister, Kirk Humphrey, whose partnership and socially conscious approach were praised for incrementally advancing their cause.