PRIVATE SECTOR URGED TO MATCH THE ST. KITTS AND NEVIS GOVERNMENT’S STEPS TO EMPOWER AND UPLIFT THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 10, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Team Unity-led administration of St. Kitts and Nevis has made significant strides towards the empowerment of the differently-abled in society, cemented by the official commissioning of the Cibes A5000 lift at Government Headquarters on Monday, December 9, 2019.
 
The modern lift goes all the way to the top floor at Government Headquarters, providing differently-abled persons the opportunity and convenience of being able to conduct business with government officials on any level of the building.
 
“Your Team Unity administration is dedicated to improving the lives of the differently abled,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris during Monday’s commissioning ceremony.
 
“We have taken a variety of measures that will make a positive difference. Measures that improve lives and create more opportunities. We have seen progress with the new East Line Bus Terminal having wheelchair ramps. The same can be said for the refurbished Basseterre Ferry Terminal and our Inland Revenue Department building on the Bay Road. As part of the upgrade of the Island Main Road, we have ensured wheelchair accessible sidewalks have been included. The inclusion of wheelchair access on sidewalks is also seen with the work at the Frigate Bay Strip,” Dr. Harris added.
 
Now, the corporate sector is being encouraged to emulate the Government in making similar changes that can further improve lives and increase opportunities.
 
Prime Minister Harris said, “Whether it is supermarkets and stores offering parking for the differently-abled or a business improving its facilities so more differently-abled people feel confident to pursue employment opportunities with that company. These are all steps that as a Government we will welcome but it is also up to society as a whole to also take up its responsibility and show the way.”
 
The Cabinet, coming out of its formal meeting on Monday, December 02, 2019, requested that the Ministry of Social Development prepare a database of differently-abled persons and to request of business houses in and around Basseterre to have designated parking spaces for those persons.
 
The Cabinet also agreed to ensure that a plot of land in the St. Peter’s area, in which the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities is interested in, would be allocated to them at a reasonable cost.
 

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