Five members of the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD INC.) returned to the state on Monday August 22, 2011, after participating in the 8th Regional Assembly of DPI NAC Inc. held in Kingston, Jamaica from August 15-20.
The Assembly was conducted in two parts: A four day training workshop for women and youths with disabilities held from August 15-18, and the Regional Council Meeting held from August 19-20.
Among the Assembly’s accomplishments were:
-The development of a three year Strategic Plan for DPI NAC Inc. to be implemented from 2011to 2014.
-The Incorporation of DPI NAC Inc. as a legal entity in the Region with its own Articles of Association and By-laws.
-The establishment and launching of a Regional Youth Network.
-Three of Dominica’s delegates were elected to serve on the Region’s governing body.
-Michael Murphy was re-elected as the Treasurer of the Regional Council Board of Directors.
-Nathalie Murphy, of Dominica, was re-elected as the Regional women’s Network’s Coordinator. She will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
-Dione Green was elected as Treasurer of the Regional Youth Network.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was extensively discussed, with repeated calls for its ratification by the Governments of the region.
To date, only Jamaica and St. Vincent and Grenadines have ratified the Convention.
The Assembly was attended by over sixty delegates from National Assemblies of the Disabled Peoples’ International North-America and Caribbean Region coming from Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, and host country, Jamaica.
Five members of the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD INC.) returned to the state on Monday August 22, 2011, after participating in the 8th Regional Assembly of DPI NAC Inc. held in Kingston, Jamaica from August 15-20.
The Assembly was conducted in two parts: A four day training workshop for women and youths with disabilities held from August 15-18, and the Regional Council Meeting held from August 19-20.
Among the Assembly’s accomplishments were:
-The development of a three year Strategic Plan for DPI NAC Inc. to be implemented from 2011to 2014.
-The Incorporation of DPI NAC Inc. as a legal entity in the Region with its own Articles of Association and By-laws.
-The establishment and launching of a Regional Youth Network.
-Three of Dominica’s delegates were elected to serve on the Region’s governing body.
-Michael Murphy was re-elected as the Treasurer of the Regional Council Board of Directors.
-Nathalie Murphy, of Dominica, was re-elected as the Regional women’s Network’s Coordinator. She will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
-Dione Green was elected as Treasurer of the Regional Youth Network.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was extensively discussed, with repeated calls for its ratification by the Governments of the region.
To date, only Jamaica and St. Vincent and Grenadines have ratified the Convention.
The Assembly was attended by over sixty delegates from National Assemblies of the Disabled Peoples’ International North-America and Caribbean Region coming from Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, and host country, Jamaica.
Five members of the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD INC.) returned to the state on Monday August 22, 2011, after participating in the 8th Regional Assembly of DPI NAC Inc. held in Kingston, Jamaica from August 15-20.
The Assembly was conducted in two parts: A four day training workshop for women and youths with disabilities held from August 15-18, and the Regional Council Meeting held from August 19-20.
Among the Assembly’s accomplishments were:
-The development of a three year Strategic Plan for DPI NAC Inc. to be implemented from 2011to 2014.
-The Incorporation of DPI NAC Inc. as a legal entity in the Region with its own Articles of Association and By-laws.
-The establishment and launching of a Regional Youth Network.
-Three of Dominica’s delegates were elected to serve on the Region’s governing body.
-Michael Murphy was re-elected as the Treasurer of the Regional Council Board of Directors.
-Nathalie Murphy, of Dominica, was re-elected as the Regional women’s Network’s Coordinator. She will also serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
-Dione Green was elected as Treasurer of the Regional Youth Network.
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was extensively discussed, with repeated calls for its ratification by the Governments of the region.
To date, only Jamaica and St. Vincent and Grenadines have ratified the Convention.
The Assembly was attended by over sixty delegates from National Assemblies of the Disabled Peoples’ International North-America and Caribbean Region coming from Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, and host country, Jamaica.
WHY ISN’T THE GOVERNMENT PART OF THE DAPD?
They are now referred to as “Physically Challenged.” Sounds better than “disabled” does it not?
They are people too! I am pleased that they no longer are looked down on as inferior people of no worth. In bygone years they did not have the opportunity to be mobile, learn some trade, be it to be computer savvy and to be employed. They are talented people. This talent only needs to be developed.
Today with scooters, etc., they are able to move around, shop and go to church. Obviously this puts a smile on their faces and makes them happier and fruitful people.
There are times if I know someone who is driving a scooter, as I pass by, I make a joke and say, “I would love a ride” or “I would love one like that.” We have a good laugh over that.
My parents taught me well to be kind and respectable to people in general, to those who are unable to help themselves, to assist them and never look down on them or laugh at them. If anyone I know fails to do this, I reprimand them in no uncertain way.
We are all God’s children and one day God will make them whole.
As we wend our way through life, we pass on the love, kindness and assistance also knowing that we who possess all our faculties for now, who knows if we will continue to have it until we die. Therefore, we help those who are in need of in whatever manner, cheerfully and patiently specifically when the circumstances call for it.
It is amazing how much happiness and peace we derive from projecting this especially to those who are in need of help. This comes from God who sees our good works.
Some buildings as I have noted the new Medical Centre in Dominica are wheel chair-accessible. These are great advances and provide encouragement and hope that they are people of worth and self-worth.
I wish them all the best. Keep up the godly spirit.
Congratulations to the Association authorities and organizers to make this Assembly possible for those who thought that they were unable to do anything due to their disabilities, being physically challenged.
I do realize that without government assistance this would not be possible. Therefore, the governments of the West Indian islands must be congratulated. They are doing much to make life a pleasant experience for specifically their citizens who are not able.
This is another reason why I state that Dominica of all has indeed progressed and continues to do so.
There but for the grace of God go I. This is what we who are with all our faculties should say with gratitude, thank you Lord and pray that He continues to grant us same throughout our life.
God bless all.