‘Anyone Can Become Disabled’ — Minister Norbert Calls Out Saint Lucia’s Treatment of Persons with Disabilities
Minister for Persons with Disabilities, Jeremiah Norbert, has issued a powerful national call for Saint Lucians to radically change how they view and treat persons living with disabilities, warning that exclusion, stigma and inaccessible systems continue to leave many behind. Speaking during activities marking the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Norbert — […] The post ‘Anyone Can Become Disabled’ — Minister Norbert Calls Out Saint Lucia’s Treatment of Persons with Disabilities appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
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Minister for Persons with Disabilities, Jeremiah Norbert, has issued a powerful national call for Saint Lucians to radically change how they view and treat persons living with disabilities, warning that exclusion, stigma and inaccessible systems continue to leave many behind.
Speaking during activities marking the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Norbert — who wears a prosthetic leg following an accident — reminded the public that disability can affect anyone at any time, stressing that society must move beyond sympathy and embrace full inclusion.
“For too long,” the Minister argued, persons with disabilities have been treated as an “afterthought” rather than a central part of national development. He said true accessibility goes far beyond physical infrastructure and must also transform communication, education, media access and public attitudes.
In one of the strongest moments of his address, Norbert called for sign language interpretation to become standard at all national events and public activities, pointing to the interpreter present during his speech as an example of what meaningful inclusion should look like in Saint Lucia.
The Minister also revealed that government is actively working on a National Disability Policy and formal disability legislation aimed at enforcing accessibility standards and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Norbert stressed that building a more inclusive society requires action across every sector, urging businesses to create accessible workplaces, educators to foster inclusive classrooms and communities to cultivate greater acceptance and respect.
A major portion of the speech focused on the harmful language and stigma still directed toward persons with disabilities. Norbert openly condemned the continued use of offensive terms such as “retarded” and “crippled,” revealing that he himself was once referred to as “crippled” while seeking assistance.
He challenged Saint Lucians to reflect honestly on whether their daily actions contribute to a society that truly includes everyone, while closing with a message of empowerment to persons living with disabilities across the island. “Your voices matter,” the Minister affirmed.
The post ‘Anyone Can Become Disabled’ — Minister Norbert Calls Out Saint Lucia’s Treatment of Persons with Disabilities appeared first on Saint Lucia Daily Post.
