The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DISABLED persons lashed out at the government's slow pace to enact potentially life-saving disabilities legislation.

The community is demanding immediate action to address longstanding issues that negatively impact their quality of life, according to Kaleisha Rolle, head secretary at the Bahamas National Council for Disability.

"Some streets, you cannot get a bus driver to stop for you," Ms Rolle, a 23-year-old amputee, said.

"Somebody needs to talk about it or nothing is going to happen. This is ridiculous; people are suffering so tremendously, this is why they are staying home and dying. We have the right to live like everyone else."

The government has started consultation with various groups, according to Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin, who said the government hopes to table a revised document before the year's end.

"We have sent recommendations back to the committee and within two to three weeks they will get back to us with their recommendations and then we will certainly be moving forward with the consultations."

Mrs Griffin said: "We also sent the legislation to other agencies, other stakeholders that were not consulted previously. Once we get their feedback as well, we will be moving forward with it. It is very much on the forefront."

She added: "Our goal is certainly to get it properly consulted, approved by cabinet and to the house. We have six months more, if we go over that it wouldn't be far over that."

In an interview with The Tribune, Ms Rolle underscored the need to raise awareness throughout the country, and not only on the capital. First handicapped in 1993, Ms Rolle said she spent her childhood years on crutches and was severely ostracised by both peers and adults.

During her final year of high school, she suffered a major stroke which necessitated the use of a wheelchair.

"Only my family really encouraged me, at school I got called all kinds of names," she said.

"Everyone made it seem like there was nothing left for me, as if I could no longer come out and face the real world. I made the decision for myself that I would not be hidden in some closet."

The stigma attached to disabled persons is further intensified by the lack of resources and infrastructure, said Ms Rolle, as she reflected on the challenges she has faced due to her physical limitations.

"I think the reason people are not getting jobs is because most facilities are not even wheelchair accessible and the government is not trying to make these changes mandatory - PLP or FNM."

She added: "[My handicap] doesn't put a limit on what I can do.

"At least five buses passed me on the street. I have money and the buses would not stop for me. This is why [disabled persons] die - they could have money in their pockets but no bus driver will stop for them."