Persons with disabilities showcase skills

Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Barbados had the opportunity to show off their skills yesterday.

They took part in a Trade Showcase and Health Fair hosted by Social Work students of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus in Heroes Square, Bridgetown, as part of their Level 11 course – Theory and Practice: Community Organisation.

“This is one of our projects and we are focusing on the community of persons with disabilities. We conducted a needs assessment and based on that needs assessment, we saw highlighted the skills possessed by persons with disabilities and their need to market those skills,” Zoe Belgrave, a student of the course told The Barbados Advocate.

“Therefore, we are trying to give them the opportunity to do so. Also, we want to show the workforce of Barbados that they [persons with disabilities] have the ability; that they do have skills and they do have something to offer. You should not just look at their disabilities, but look at them as a person and just highlight who they are and not just their disability.”

Working along with the National Disability Unit, Barbados Council for the Disabled and several other generous sponsors, the event saw arts and craft all made by disabled persons, such as cushions, jewellery, paper towel holders and clocks; as well as those who offer services such as hair braiding and massage therapy.