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The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has appointed a Special Rapporteur on Disability, as it works towards an inclusive Region for persons with disabilities. The Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health, in September 2018, endorsed the recommendation that Senator Dr. Floyd Morris be appointed to the position, and “urged Ministries of Health to facilitate the Special Rapporteur in the conduct of his duties at the national level”. Dr.

“Nothing about us, without us” is the mantra for persons with disabilities globally. I have drawn for this quotation amidst a sensationally written article in the Gleaner on Sunday May 21, 2017, captioned: “Disappointing the disabled- UWI plans to make the Mona campus disabled friendly-going at snail’s pace.” In the article, the author sought to assess UWI Mona’s efforts to make the institution friendly for persons with disabilities and in this assessment, basically gave the institution a failing grade.

Persons with disabilities are an integral part of any society. However, they have not been treated with the level of respect and dignity that they should. After years of advances, many still view these individuals as persons who should be confined to their homes or be placed in infirmaries. They are still being viewed as individuals who should be on welfare rather than being involved with gainful employment.