The Tribune

Minister of Social Services, Senator Barbara Cartwright, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening protections and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities, declaring that inclusion must extend to the workplace, schools, transportation, housing and full participation in community life.

Minister Cartwright recently addressed persons with disabilities, advocates, government representatives and members of the public during the “Let’s Talk Disability Affairs” Town Hall Meeting, led by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) at DW Davis High School.

The town hall brought government agencies, advocates and members of the disability community together for direct dialogue on issues affecting persons with disabilities, including social assistance, disability awareness, registration with the NCPD, the AccessAbility Bahamas app, Urban Renewal services, National Insurance benefits, accessibility, advocacy and equal opportunities.

Minister Cartwright used the occasion to highlight provisions contained in the recently tabled Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes strengthened measures addressing employment, workplace accommodations, abuse, accessibility and enforcement.

Among the proposed changes are expanded employment requirements for companies with 50 or more workers, moving toward a two per cent staff quota for persons with disabilities, as well as provisions requiring employers to reassign workers who develop a disability on the job when they can no longer perform their original duties.

The amendments also propose stronger accessibility requirements for new public buildings and criminal penalties for physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse of persons with disabilities. They further provide for strengthened employment tracking and placement through collaboration between the Department of Labour and the Commission.

The minister said the importance of continued action is underscored by national statistics showing that 38,551 people, or 10.3 per cent of the population aged five and older, live with a disability in The Bahamas.

She acknowledged that persons with disabilities continue to experience barriers to employment and economic participation, along with physical challenges accessing public spaces and transportation where appropriate infrastructure is unavailable.

Ms Cartwright said the government remains committed to equal opportunities and community inclusion and noted existing assistance available to persons with disabilities, including disability benefits and duty-free concessions on assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walking canes and hearing aids.

She also encouraged persons with disabilities to register and engage with Social Services and the NCPD so that government can better understand the community it serves and develop laws, programmes and services that respond to their needs.

“I see you. I will continue to work for you and ensure that your rights are protected and that there are opportunities for you,” Ms Cartwright told attendees.

She reminded the wider public that disability can occur at any stage of life, making accessibility and inclusion an issue that ultimately affects everyone. She called on Bahamians to treat persons with disabilities with love, respect and consideration and to support greater accessibility and inclusion.

The town hall also highlighted AccessAbility Bahamas, the NCPD’s mobile app designed to help connect persons with disabilities with information, services and resources. Participants were encouraged to use the app and remain connected with the Commission as part of efforts to improve access to disability-related information and services.

The town hall was moderated by  Deborah Bartlett, Communications Consultant, and featured a presentation by Dr Anthony Hamilton, Chair of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, on the human rights of persons with disabilities. Dr Hamilton has also been involved in other national initiatives aimed at expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Presentations were also made by Ertha Charlow, Assistant Director, Disabilities Affairs and Seniors Division, representatives of the Ministry of Urban Renewal and Community Relations and the National Insurance Board, and a representative of the Deaf Association.

Members of the NCPD team participating in the initiative included Executive Secretary  Desiree Clark, Townsley Roberts, Thorne Clark and Ms Nabbie, as the Commission continued its work to connect persons with disabilities directly with information, programmes and services.

Through the town hall, the NCPD provided a forum for persons with disabilities and their families to hear directly about available services and programmes, raise concerns, ask questions and engage representatives of agencies whose work affects their daily lives.

The initiative reflects the Commission’s continuing mandate to advance advocacy, equality and inclusion and to help ensure that the voices and rights of persons with disabilities remain central to the national conversation.

Persons seeking additional information on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, its programmes and services may visit disabilitiescommissionbahamas.org. The AccessAbility Bahamas app is also available for mobile devices.