The Caribbean Disability Network (CDN), in partnership with the Government of Barbados through its Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, along with the Barbados Council for the Disabled and other governmental bodies, has announced the upcoming 2025 Caribbean Global Disability Conference.
A CDN press release indicated that the event is scheduled from October 17 to 22 in Bridgetown, Barbados, following what it states was a successful inaugural conference held in Grenada in 2024. The 2025 gathering will emphasize the vital theme “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Education for All Abilities.”
CDN also shared that the conference aims to assemble a diverse and distinguished group of participants, including government representatives, educators, researchers, disability advocates, development organizations, individuals with disabilities, and civil society leaders from across the Caribbean and its diaspora.
Plenary sessions will also be featured, as well as interactive workshops, poster displays, and strategic planning meetings, all working collaboratively to produce a Regional Declaration on Inclusive Education. According to CDN, this declaration is intended to serve as a strategic guide for shaping future policies and practices across the region.
Building on the foundation laid by the 2024 event held in St. George, Grenada, which focused on “Community Access, Empowerment, and Inclusion,” the 2025 conference is set to delve deeper into inclusive education—an essential element in breaking the cycle of exclusion faced by many in the Caribbean disability community. With approximately 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities—roughly 15% of the global population—many encounter significant barriers to healthcare, rehabilitation, and specialized support services. This underscores the urgent need for inclusive educational frameworks within the Caribbean.
Andrew Sharpe, President and Founder of CDN and Chair of the Authentic Caribbean Foundation Inc. based in Boston, Massachusetts, expressed enthusiasm about the focus of the upcoming event.
He stated, “Following the success of our inaugural conference, we are thrilled to focus specifically on inclusive education as the foundation for true community inclusion.”
“This year’s conference will serve as a platform to inspire and elevate the Caribbean community towards achieving comprehensive educational equity for all abilities,” he continued.
The conference’s primary objectives include:
1. Promoting effective practices and frameworks for inclusive education throughout the Caribbean
2. Amplifying the voices and experiences of persons with disabilities and their families
3. Fostering cross-sector collaboration to develop inclusive learning environments
4. Crafting a regional action plan and declaration to guide future initiatives
5. Showcasing innovative models and best practices through poster presentations
Over the six-day event, discussions will be organized around five key sub-themes: policy, legislation, and regional frameworks for inclusive education; inclusive education across the lifespan; curriculum development, teacher training, and capacity building; assistive technology and innovative learning supports; and intersectionality and social inclusion. Facilitators from various stakeholder groups will lead these sessions, emphasizing the importance of addressing resource limitations and service delivery challenges faced by island nations in the Caribbean.
Furthermore, the conference will examine how intersecting factors such as gender, poverty, and employment impact persons with disabilities, aiming to develop comprehensive strategies to improve their quality of life. Anticipated outcomes include the adoption of the Regional Declaration on Inclusive Education, strengthened networks for policy and practice, detailed session reports and knowledge products, and increased regional cooperation to advance inclusive education across the Caribbean.
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