My 2015 - 2016 Budget Response

Yesterday, the newly elected Government of Trinidad and Tobago read its 2015 - 2016 National Budget where the Government mentioned plans to have consultations with the Differently Abled Community on the way forward. I am happy to know that we finally have Typically-Abled persons in Parliament who realise they do not know and will never know the needs of Persons with Disabilities, unless, they acquire a disability themselves, then they will know the needs of persons with that specific disability. I hope that the consultations are actually held and policies implemented soon (long before the 2020 General Elections)

New Government

I will be holding our new Government to its election manifesto.

Just a Couple Questions

I would like to know what the Minister of Community Development intends to do with the EMPTY elevator shaft at the Chatham Community Centre and how does he intend to make the second floor accessible to all? In other words. How long will I need to be carried up a flight of stairs in order to attend anything being held in the auditorium?

Un-acceptable Response

“Find another way of getting them (the Differently Abled) up here” was one of the things the Minister of Community Development said concerning the elevator at the official opening of the Chatham Community Centre yesterday because its maintenance cost too much. The Minister also said that elevators in other community centres are not working because they are being misuse by children in the community. I think that the Minister’s response was un-acceptable because he did not have a solution. The Minister's statement left me wondering if he meant that other members of the community are supposed to carry persons who cannot walk up stairs like the Elderly lady who I saw using two walking aids. UN-ACCEPTABLE!!!

Limited Access at Chatham Community Centre

I live in the Chatham community. Construction of our new two floor community centre has recently been completed or has it? Our brand new community centre does not have an elevator or any other means for someone in a wheelchair to access the second floor where the auditorium is. It has a ramp to access the ground floor but the second floor which houses the auditorium is inaccessible to me. I am a member of the community and I have every right to be able to access the second floor of our community centre.

Kenisha Thom's endorsement

Why Are We Not Highlighted Like The Senior Citizens?

I am a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago who just happens to be Differently Abled. For the the past few years, I have noticed that our politicians always mention the Senior Citizens in their speeches. In the Prime Minister's statement on falling oil prices, the Senior Citizens was mentioned but the Differently Abled was not and my question is why. Why are we not highlighted like the Senior Citizens? Is it the fact that we are a small community whose votes are not necessary to put a political party into office? Do not even think about saying that we are included in the most vulnerable category because I will not accept that answer and neither should anyone else in the Differently Abled community.

Overlooked Again???

Increases in the Old Age Pension and the Disability Grant were announced in our last National Budget on September 8. This month, our pensioners received their $500 increase but the Differently Abled did not receive our $300 increase in our Disability Grant. I do not want to believe that we have been overlooked like we were on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.