Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 29, 2023 (SKNIS): The government’s initiatives to improve the conditions for society’s differently-abled have been applauded by Joseph Bergan, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities, who said that there has been a “tremendous” increase in support.
On February 20, 2023, the government launched the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Ageing and Disabilities, to provide focused attention to the three segments of society, that are considered among the most vulnerable. President Bergan stated that the change has been meaningful.
“I have seen a lot of improvement and once again I want to commend the Cabinet, Government Ministers for thinking about such an initiative because I can say that the support we have been getting since this ministry has been formed, is tremendous,” said President Bergan. “It is much more and far greater than what we used to see back then.”
Sponsorship of various programmes, as well as increased dialogue and collaborations, are areas that have seen major improvement. However, Mr. Bergan indicated that there is one area that often goes overlooked that has been extremely valuable.
“There have been much more workshops and programmes,” he revealed. “Sometimes, it’s not all about finances that count but the knowledge you would receive from workshops and conferences and whatever knowledge there is to be disseminated, it can be meaningful to your organization, to your cause.”
A workshop on internet safety was held that warned about online scams, phishing and other traps. The workshop provided helpful information that has significantly benefited the differently-abled.
“I look forward to more of that, more knowledge, everything that can make our efforts better than what they were,” said President Bergan.
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