The Tribune

Your Say

By CHARLIS ROBINS

The Democratic National Alliance has been, from day one, a vital and important champion for the rights and care for those that are less fortunate and disabled.

We believe that without caring for the least among us, society is not only weaker as a whole, but one that is void of the human compassion necessary for governing effectively and sensitively.

Successive governments have, beyond a shadow of a doubt, failed Bahamians. Not only have they been unsuccessful in combatting crime, creating a sustainable economy and designing an educational system that works but they have been consistently unsuccessful in providing proper intervention for the marginalised populations, particularly interventions for those that are disabled and need professional care and services

Fifteen per cent of the population of the Bahamas are considered disabled. Under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, this population has a right to equal access to opportunities for suitable employment, as well as access to training, education and health care services.

Access to intervention is a right that many families of children with disabilities have been denied. Some of the barriers to intervention include waiting lists, finances and unavailable personnel. In 2017, where there is international focus on online/teletherapy, why is there no consistent therapeutic intervention in the educational system? Is it that our current decision makers do not know or is it that they do not care?

We in the DNA believe in providing persons with a wide range of treatment, care and therapeutic services that money can buy. Services like improving care services, increasing funding for distance learning for persons with disabilities and using the latest technology for making people’s lives better. It is imperative that we bring along the least of us at their weakest hour.

The DNA proposes that we can now, and most certainly will as a government, focus on online/teletherapy as one of those solutions that would make life better.

The implementation of this cost effective medium within the classroom will ensure that children across the length and breadth of the Bahamas receive the therapeutic intervention needed to ensure successful matriculation.

This tool can also be used for training paraprofessionals in non-skilled techniques that can be utilised during everyday interaction with a student. Beyond the provision of school-based intervention, teletherapy can be provided within homes. The use of technology can empower families to become more active in their loved ones journey toward maximising functional independence.

We, as a people, have suffered at the hands of an aloof, inconsistent, uncaring administration for long enough. We say thank you for researching, writing, recalling, reviewing and finally realising legislation that, in theory, was put in place to protect the rights of all persons living in the Bahamas. With all due respect, however, the time for action is long overdue. The DNA is comprised of urban visionaries, ready for action on the first day we become the government. With an overall view to improve the delivery of healthcare services within the Bahamas, The DNA will usher in a long overdue era of internet-based technologies. The use of technologies facilitates the fundamental redesign of healthcare and care-based services based on the principle of achieving the best possible care for the individual patient at the lowest possible cost for the entire Bahamas.

Under a DNA government, a child from Cat Island who suffered complications from sickle cell anemia causing left sided paralysis will no longer be required to uproot to New Providence for therapy sessions that can last three to six months.

A ten-year-old, diagnosed with autism whose family resides in Bimini would, at the click of a button, benefit from therapies for which they would historically have to relocate to New Providence.

A non-verbal child in New Providence would be able to access direct Speech and Language Pathology for more than 15 minutes per week.

Access is more than legislation. It is ensuring that all barriers to receiving optimum care are removed. Under a DNA government regardless of ability, every child will receive the tools that he/she needs to succeed. The creation of inclusive classrooms and playgrounds, accessible bathrooms, adapted physical education, school-based intervention and individualised educational plans rank high on our to do list.

Within the DNA resides the professional knowledge, technical skills, care, compassion and drive to ensure that children are treated like the precious resources that they are.

Our DNA team stands committed to serve, ready on day one, for both the weak and the strong; both the marginalised and those that are beyond the threshold; and especially for those that have little and those that have a great deal. The DNA is focused on governing for any and all people.

• Charlis Robins is the Democatric National Alliance candidate for Yamacraw