As many as 600 million people, that’s one in every ten persons around the world, live with disabilities that affect their lives. This disability also greatly impacts on the lives of the disabled’s family members and communities.

These same disabled can become contributing members of society, if given a chance; a chance in terms of opportunity, resources and the encouragement of the community, this is the message of Anton La Fond (MCIT), whose latest publication, entitled Education is Life for the Disabled, provides a wealth of information and instructions on aiding the disabled to improve their quality of life.

“The more you examine the future of those with disabilities the more you appreciate the value that education contributes,” said La Fond. As the title of the book illustrates, La Fond believes that education is the key to helping the disabled lead lives of which they can be proud, lives which can allow them to accomplish their dreams, or at least earn a respected place in society.

La Fond advises though, “Education should be structured along accepting persons with disabilities as contributing members of society and be placed in high priority.

This will require more than just moving physical barriers, but creating attitudinal changes that will take time to be fully implemented.”

La Fond, a past student of Fatima College, is a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering (Technology Transfer Centre) at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and research studies for the region.

He has had extensive training and experience in the field of technology for the disabled and elderly, after having trained and worked in England for a number of years, and in the United States of America.

La Fond has put his expertise to use in many ways, one of which is the publication of many articles and pamphlets on the disabled and ways and means to assist them.

La Fond has also coached the nation’s most distinguished marathon runner, Dwight Yearwood.

In his latest publication, La Fond comprehensively covers the issues relating to the disabled in our society. He has also published a pamphlet on HIV/AIDS, in which he asks us to consider the problems the disabled with HIV/AIDS can encounter. “ The disabled are certainly not excluded from contracting HIV/AIDS, and in many cases may be at a greater risk, unfortunately this risk is not recognised and HIV/AIDS programmes do not adequately address the needs of the disabled,” said La Fond.

“All institutions and facilities involved with HIV testing, treatment, prevention and support should ensure access to the disabled, and provide sensitisation training to staff on issues affecting disabled people,” he emphasised.

La Fond, in an interview with Catholic News, stated that everyone needed to be involved in the advocacy and implementation of better conditions for the disabled in our society.

He said anyone, at any time, could become disabled through accident or injury or by age. This, he said, was the reason why he also worked with the elderly. They are placed in a position in our society akin to that of the disabled.

La Fond pointed out that with age came the deterioration of mobility, resources, general support and opportunity, fostering an atmosphere of disability. This said La Fond is something that most of us would have to deal with in our future and it “should make us aware of the struggles that the disabled face in our society – it should make us want to create a better environment for all.

“It is worth remembering that no one is immune to disability, just like no one is immune from HIV. Either can occur at a moment’s notice to just about anyone. We must all be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper and report instances of abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities.

“Awareness and vigilance against the abuse and exploitation of disabled persons is a job for every member of our society.” La Fond asked “If a nation is to be judged by how it treats all its citizens, how do we measure up… how do you measure up?”