In a groundbreaking move for educational accessibility, Barbados has announced that Combermere School will become the nation’s first public secondary institution to install an elevator. The initiative forms a crucial part of a comprehensive government program aimed at retrofitting public buildings to ensure full accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Finance Ministry official Ryan Straughn made the significant announcement during his address at the school’s speech day ceremony, committing to a systematic three-year implementation timeline. “Once institutions identify necessary adaptations and provide specifications, the Ministry of Finance will ensure funding availability,” Straughn declared, emphasizing the government’s dedication to inclusive public spaces.
The announcement followed earlier remarks by Board Chairman Captain Reverend Al Walcott, who outlined the school’s own accessibility research initiatives. “We’re determined to ensure that physically challenged students can access the entire campus from first form through upper grades,” Reverend Walcott stated, highlighting ongoing efforts to create barrier-free educational environments.
Straughn, himself a Combermere alumnus, reflected on the historical context of disability accommodation at the institution, recalling how students like Craig Nurse and Kerry-Ann Ifill navigated the campus with peer assistance in the absence of proper infrastructure. “While peer support was remarkable, the physical infrastructure itself now requires modernization,” he observed.
The minister additionally highlighted the critical emergency preparedness aspect of the initiative, noting that as an official hurricane shelter, the school must accommodate persons with disabilities during crisis situations. He established a concrete timeline for implementation, requesting cost estimates by January 15 with guaranteed completion before March 31, 2026.
This landmark project represents the initial phase of a broader national retrofitting program that will eventually encompass all government facilities, signaling a new era of accessibility and inclusion in Barbadian public infrastructure.