As an NDIS Provider on the Gold Coast, inclusion for those with disabilities sits at the core of what we do. An esteemed doctor in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Radica Mahase, has expressed her concerns that the country is still lagging in the care and provision it offers to the disabled community. As the nation celebrates 60 years of independence at the end of August, she said that while much was to be celebrated, there was no better time to evaluate the shortcomings and make plans to rectify things that have not yet been achieved.
Dr Eric Williams
The first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago spoke of his hopes when he addressed the nations all that time ago. He felt it was important to remember that school children of all ages ‘carry the future of the country’ in their school bags. Dr Mahase said it was her belief that the current education system in the country discriminates and fails children with disabilities and special needs daily. While we have a better feeling about the way things are handled here, our support workers on the Gold Coast would tend to agree with her concerns that there is a lack of interest by governments all over the world. Of course, she spoke exclusively about the state of her nation. Still, her comments that ‘those with disability/special needs are often faced with a sense of condescension from those in power’ will ring true with not just in the community themselves but all of us striving to empower them and support them to live the life they want.
Not Enough Social Rage
While social media has many flaws, it could be said that there is a place for it when it comes to changing the mindset of those in power in countries like Trinidad and Tobago. She spoke of the bandwagon movement that has seen residents begin to use social platforms, but she feels that it is ‘not yet fashionable to be advocates for social justice. There seems to be a hangup on politics and race, which push the crucial issues of disability inclusion out of sight and therefore, these topics do not trend. There is little doubt that social media has the power to invoke change, so it seems that it would be an excellent mouthpiece for her endeavours.
Support Autism T&T
Dr Mahase speaks from a position of knowledge, she is the founder and director of Support Autism T&T, but clearly, she is an advocate of empowering all people no matter what their disability or special needs. It is good to see someone fighting to get their voice heard in Trinidad and Tobago, and if we can add just one more voice to her campaign by starting the conversation here, we are delighted to help. She states, and we agree, that ‘Disability rights are basic human rights. A child should be included in education because it is that child’s basic right. An adult with a disability should have equal access to employment opportunities like every other adult’.