Last night, the Minister of Health The Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP attended a celebration at the Bermuda Society of Arts for the 2019 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organized by the Disability Advisory Council (DAC) and the Ministry of Health. At the event, five differently-abled Bermudians were recognised for overcoming various societal barriers. Those individuals were: Mariana Teixeira, Chyone Harris, Valerie Wade, Jason Minors and Ryan Gibbons (not pictured).
Minister Wilson's remarks are as follows, "According to the United Nations, persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15 per cent of the world’s population. Globally, almost one in five persons living with disabilities encounter significant difficulties in their daily life. This represents about 150 million people world-wide. In Bermuda over 3,000 people are known to have a disability.
Persons with disabilities frequently encounter a myriad of challenges and are often subjected to stigma and discrimination. This is largely due to a lack of understanding and acceptance from the community as a whole.
Collectively, we must empower persons with disabilities to become agents of change, as their involvement can help create opportunities for everyone. Local businesses are encouraged to offer meaningful employment to persons with disabilities in an effort to afford them opportunities to make societal contributions.
In that same vein, I would like to thank the staff at The K. Margaret Carter Centre (KMCC) and the MWI’s New Dimensions programme for all they do in providing direct support for persons with intellectual disabilities in the community through day programme services. KMCC’s Training and Employment Division, for example, engages clients in meaningful work, based on their skill level and area of interest as part of their community-based employment programme. At present, a select group of clients work in various businesses across the island, while others carry out in-house contract work and receive stipends from local businesses for the completion of short-term projects. In addition, over the last year, KMCC has partnered with MWI’s New Dimensions programme for persons with intellectual disabilities to increase opportunities to clients and their families for enhanced client development.
Over the years, advancements in technology have made a significant impact on persons with disabilities, particularly by way of universal design, by making products and services that could be used by every and anyone living with or without a disability. But there is still so much more we can do. I urge everyone to help us to build an inclusive, accessible and sustainable community.
Today’s important observance – The International Day of Persons with Disabilities – aims to increase awareness and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. These issues are as meaningful in Bermuda as they are in larger jurisdictions, as the wellbeing of affected individuals and their families is impacted in all spheres of society.
This year the Disability Advisory Council, or DAC, is marking this important observance by recognizing persons who have made a difference in their own lives and that of others, despite being differently abled.
I look forward to shortly being able to personally congratulate the five Bermudians, selected by DAC, as today’s awardees, recognised for their triumphant pursuits in overcoming barriers to participate in all aspects of society.
In closing, I am pleased to showcase this newly-created booklet; A Guide to Benefits Available to Persons with Disabilities in Bermuda which has been created by the Disability Advisory Council and details, for the first time ever, a comprehensive list of benefit entitlements for persons with disabilities and how to apply or enquire about them. The booklet can be found on the Government website www.gov.bm."
MP Tinee Furbert, who is Vice Chair of the DAC, was also in attendance and offered remarks.