Today, Sunday, December 3 is the International Day of Disabled Persons. This special day was preceded by “Disability Awareness Week” – a week of events promoting an understanding of disability issues, educating the public on various types of disabilities, showcasing the range of services available to persons with disabilities and highlighting support for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Photos: Irtha Daniel

The theme of this year’s observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons revolves around e-accessibility – improving access to the new communication and information technologies for persons with disabilities.

Among the several displays held at different venues over the past week was the one mounted jointly by LIFE Centre (autism) and the Immortelle Children’s Centre for Special Education.

The display titled “Easy Access to Information” was held at the national library, NALIS, for one week.

Principals from both the LIFE Centre (Susie de Verteuil) and Immortelle Children’s Centre (Jacqui Leotaud) stressed the need for more resources, financial and physical to continue the work they are doing for our nation’s disabled and mentally challenged children.

 Susie says, “Nothing in the world of disabilities is easy, for the disabled and for the caregivers. We wanted to have this display to show people what can be done if you have the resources and tools.”

She stressed that not only s there a lack of access to information, but also “to physical space, to services for the disabled, … we really wanted to bring this to people’s attention. There are a lot of tasks when dealing with disabilities. The more effort you put in, the more treasures you build up…in heaven, for your labours.”

The Immortelle Children’s Centre and the LIFE Centre wishes to thank the Ministry of Social Development for having Disability Awareness Week and the Ministry of Education – Student Support Services – and NALIS for allowing them to have the display.