{"id":257800,"date":"2020-10-26T11:41:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T15:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=257800"},"modified":"2020-10-26T11:49:41","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T15:49:41","slug":"dapd-37th-anniversary-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/dapd-37th-anniversary-message\/","title":{"rendered":"DAPD 37th anniversary message"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Irma Raymond-Joseph. File photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, Monday October 26, is the 37th Anniversary of the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD. Inc.) The following is a message by the DAPD Board of Directors to mark the occasion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We address in this presentation, our members, benefactors, associates, social partners and persons with disabilities in general, since you all make up our \u201cStake-holders.<\/p>\n

The advocacy, development work, accomplishments, challenges and progress of DAPD Inc. have been published, highlighted and documented over the years, and in all of this, our mission has remained the same.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That is, \u201cTo enhance the inherent dignity and status of Persons with Disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

On January 1, 2020, we began the implementation of a new five-year programme to be effected up to December 31, 2024. During that cycle, we will be \u201cPursuing Social Inclusion, Access and Equal Opportunities through advocacy for Persons with Disabilities\u201d, and we intend to\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 continue building on the gains that we have made in the past.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of this year, the Board of Directors included in its Calendar of Activities, the official opening of the auditorium. The construction of this project would have signaled the completion of our\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Multi-purpose Development Centre, the establishment of which began in 2001.<\/p>\n

In March, all this was put on hold, when the Corona Virus Covid-19 arrived on our shores affecting the lives of all of us.<\/p>\n

The official opening of the auditorium would have been taking place today on our Anniversary, and this would have been an elaborate event.\u00a0 Instead, construction work is only about to begin.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, both the Corona Virus and this infra-structural project have affected our normal operations, and we will have to wait for at least another six months or so for the resumption of normal functioning.<\/p>\n

The Board of Directors continue to put measures in place to ensure that our organization does not become inactive, in spite of the situation, and its advocacy programmes remain paramount.<\/p>\n

We are focusing on acquiring the necessary resources for the implementation of this five-year\u00a0 programme\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and mobilization of financial, assistive aids and devices, equipment, office furniture and appliances, volunteers and supplies are now on the way.\u00a0 This will ensure our readiness to continue providing the services and activities that are proposed which will redound to the benefit of persons with and without disabilities.<\/p>\n

For this current year, some of our benefactors include:<\/p>\n