Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Ministry of Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs, Esther Thomas has promised the Dominica Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (DADP) that work has begun to promote easier access to government headquarters by persons living with disabilities.
Thomas indicated that she will try her best to ensure that the issue of access begins with the government headquarters and said installing elevators at the facility is one way that this issue will be dealt with.
“The convention has been ratified and there are things that we have to do. We have to revisit the elevator so that persons who come to the government headquarters do not have to be carried on a wheelchair,” she said on Tuesday afternoon at a ceremony saying farewell to two Japanese volunteers who were working with the DAPD.
Last year the government of Dominica ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means the government must provide accessibility to all its facilities and public buildings and persons with disabilities must have equal access and opportunities as ordinary citizens.
The two Japanese volunteers, Naoko Yachi and Miho Yuzurihara, were sent to the DADP from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)/Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV).
Yachi worked with DADP from June 2010 to February 2013 as a vocational instructor. Her duties involved working with persons with disabilities to improve their computer skills and advocate for their rights.
Yuzurihara who joined the DADP in September 2012 worked as a film producer and produced educational films to promote the rights of persons with disabilities on the island.
There were elevators in the building when it was first opened.I remember when we use to leave school from across the street,The Roseau Girls’School,I don’t know why Roseau Girls’when there were also boys in there,and go over to ride in the elevators.From the first floor to the top and back down.The guard in plain cloth would call the police,who would be somewhere about the building,and they would chase us out.It was a beautiful building when it was just opened,the pond with all the lovely fishes,huge plants.In those days it was the hang out spot,since there were no malls.I am not familiar with it’s upkeeping over the years but taking into consideration the length of time that it’s been opened and in use,structural soundness and yes a face lift would do it good.
Someone ask whether it use to be a hospital before.No
The old Roseau hospital use to be on part of the site before,and that was long before it was used for what’s on it now.As a matter of fact,from Roseau the Hospital moved to Goodwill,where it is at present,and all of that was many years ago.
This building needs to be torn down. It’s shabby, old, decrepit… gee what else. Why spend all that money on something like this on it’s way out?
Big news
Elevators in the building, yet NEWTOWN SCHOOL still has no completion date. Money well spent.
the whole building needs an uplift. wasn’t that building a hospital before?
Shouldn’t they renovate this building first? Is it structurely ok???? and why no put an escalator instead?? Hmmm.Common sense people common sense.
Was it even designed for an escalator?
That is great but is this building structure safe. I remember being there doing slight tremors and the building would sahke like a branch in the wind. Very scary.
malgraysa qui te mois tan ou- let me hear you.if it had one inthe st.Kitts hospital jaime would not have had a heart attack and massive at that.
Right Malgraysa?
what language do you speak?
Alright!! I think it is a good move.
Correct me if I am wrong are there not elevators in the building? – old and have not been functioning for a long time. When the PM (late Dame) had the broken leg I remembered the talk – I never saw them work whilst working there from early 90s till I left.
PR right. Let us not let this overshadow the lack of attention given to the real issues we face in Dominica. I am not trying to be political here but this is NOTWS and on another note THE GOVERNMENT IS INSTALLING NEW TOILETS FOR EASY ACCESS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
I cannot wait to hear to it at the meetings – We installed elevators at the government headquarters lol aah boy these people.
DNO this is not for you.
This is NOT NEWS.
This is not related to your reporting.
While we’re at it a paint job would do also. I’m just saying!!
Agree with you on that, the sad thing about Dominica, is that many of the buildings in and around the capital need a major face lift
There are buildings older than the government headquarters all over the world, going back hundreds years ago and they are in better shape that that building and some other government buildings and homes
Time we in Dominica, take care of our buildings and our surrounding, also our beaches
Some of my co-workers just came back from a cruise, some of what they said were heartbreaking
They called Dominica the island with no beaches and black sand, I have no problem with this, when they started talking about the city, the sidewalks, drain being exposed, houses in bad condition, and how Roseau is dirty
One commented saying that we are boasting that our island is the nature island of the Caribbean, but to his amazement this is not so
He mentioned that there are not to much green on the island any more since he visited Dominica in the 80′ and it was a pleasure taking photos of the mountains
One said that the Trafalgar falls need some work with all the huge rocks, and some of the tourist sites, and that if we want to boast of being the nature island of the Caribbean, we need to stop the deforestation
We as Dominicans need to do all we can to preserve our nature island and it’s heritage
Lou phone or write to Alos the Min of ………
ask him to put a hand.
Great move but we need a good repair person too.
This building must be over 30 years old, i think some paint would do, it looks deporable and shaby, definiely a sore eye site.
When I worked there in 2004 – the water fountain was not working is it working now?
An elevator?? They think thats what Govt headquarters need now?… I can understand an ease of access for the disabled but we as a country needs to grow in development. What we should concentrate on now is rebuilding this old building…. My VIEW!
Very good move and I’m happy to see that we are considering the Disabled. We need to stop issuring permission to the buisness owners ‘ Authorized Police Parking Only’. These parkings are only being used for them to park their cars in Roseau. They could better be used, for the Disabled to park.
the ministers are getting too big they cannot walk up the stairs is that the real reason
boy we have money to waste give some to the farmers nor???
Joe, yes it is intended for “people with disabilities”, so Ministers can use it also!
Malgraysa surfaces. What would jaime say about that as a doctor malgraysa? We he alive today or return as a reincanate-Maybe he’d pump them up with roids like Ben etc.
Excellent initiative.
While you are at it, may I suggest training for the employees in customer service and telephone etiquette. My oh my!
Alas, alas, alas you can say that again.
i think that is a great gesture,our dissabled and seniors are part of our country too.
Renovation for Dominica Headquarters not elevators
Why not elevators? Aren’t the disabled people too? Don’t they have the right to access to government and other facilities like you and I? It is a good thing and yes, the ministry could do with a face lift too
alas thats is something we, when in 2013 somebody want a pat on their back for repairing of an elevator that has been broken down for years, that is something when an elevator that is being repaired becomes news!… lets see how long that project will take…
There you have it RIGHT ON POINT.
Great move.
Go play your guitar instead. You must be 70 now Jimmy you died 1970 @27 yrs of age from an overdose.
Sorry Malgraysa partner Jaime wasn’t a doc yet to save you.
Tell em Malgraysa.
Please do not stop taking the stairs people.
We have an increasing obesity problem now in Dominica. Note: The elevators are for the disabled and aged people.
I bet you fat people will be the one to use that lift the most!!
I was wondering first how many disabled people use/visit the building?
2)Why elevators if we arenow an obesse nation and no longer nature island f the world(hence fitness is partof the naturaal aspect.
I am be wrong as a health concious person and a healthcaare professional am wondering if 75% or more of the opoulation is sufering from CHF Heart failure.Nopon intended I know two of our P>Ms died from heart associated/relaed conditions (god bless their souls (two good men who meant well)
Now those in power seem not to be ready to go that way so are recommending elevators for the fat ministers ej Breast minister the fat face one with the disappearing dimples due to fat face syndrome.
Many have elevated blood pressure all the BBQ’s blockos not helping. I don’t see the health minister walking no more.
Why worry about them getting fat – they are extraordinary high NO class people LEAVE THEM ALONE. Do not forget Skerrit’s words – his house costs far less than the ORDINARY people in Dominica.
For themselves they are doing it. To be whisked away – to show their further DISCONNECT and DISASSOCIATION with the common man. Subtle ways.
just construct a new modernize ministry, instead of doing some
Supporters of the opposition are already blowing their fuses over the new state-house. This time they would have a short-circuit.
All the MINISTRY needs aesthetically is a damn good “steam clean”. No painting, as this would ruin it natural beauty.
It’s an iconic and listed building – the pride of D/ca architecture.
You are so right. It’s called Architectural Exposed Concrete.
“The convention has been ratified and there are things that we have to do.”
So it had to take U.N convention, in order to get our leaders to act?… oh my this is so laughable, but this is the kind of things we settle for in this land…. every developing nation caters to the disabled citizens, they don’t need any convention to do so, because they are proactive and think of the populace and making their lives better…
I will oppose any and everything even when it benefits the less fortunate and very deserving.
Signed
Mouth of the South
I have no problem with the elevators, my concern is that, why it took a U.N convention. it simply shows that they’re only doing that to the terms of agreement, and not because they have a burning desire to help the less fortunate among us.
When u attended school, did u need the teacher to tell u, to study…. or u took the initiative and did it yourself, because u know it would be beneficial in the long term…. all in all, better late than never… i guess we’ll need a ‘convention’ also in order to have internation air access lol….
Why
Good Initiative Mrs. Thomas. You are trully blessed and a true child of God. So thoughtful.
Anyone can see you are different and shine for God and you seem to rise above and take a stand for the better for everyone, in all areas. I really wish there was more believers who’s testimony could be commended.
Really? U seem to b living on a different planet than the staff of the Ministry of Social services,Community Development and Gender Affairs
Excellent innitiative!!!
it needs a face lift also *just saying
imagine when i saw the headline in came in just to say what u said..and here u hit thr nail right on the head so i won’t repeat. i will shake your big toe. it sure need it. toooooo loooong man
Excellent initiative Mrs. Thomas.
PS. whilst you are at it could you pleases, also persuade the powers that be to brighten up the poor building with a new coat of paint? It looks tired and shabby now compared witht he new State House and the Finance Centre.
Its about time.Equal access and opportunities to ALl!
Finally!