A comprehensive nationwide series of Mini-Consultations, aimed at shaping Saint Lucia’s forthcoming National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, officially concluded on October 23rd, 2025.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Equity has been hailed by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCOPD) as a defining step toward building a more inclusive and equitable society.
According to NCOPD Public Relations Officer Kevin Jean Baptiste, the new policy represents a turning point in how Saint Lucia approaches disability and inclusion.
“The forthcoming policy offers a blueprint for a more equitable future,” Jean Baptiste said. “It moves the conversation beyond charitable acts to guaranteed rights, ensuring persons with disabilities are seen as full citizens with dignity and equal opportunity.”
The nationwide consultations, which gathered input from diverse communities and advocacy groups, reflected widespread consensus on several key priorities.
Participants repeatedly called for “stronger early diagnosis and intervention services, greater parental support, and the expansion of the Child Development and Guidance Center to cater to children beyond five years old.”
In addition to childhood-focused initiatives, participants emphasized the need to address the realities faced by older persons with disabilities.
Among their recommendations were “the establishment of home-based care and financial support for caregivers of older persons with disabilities,” as well as “the creation of a national disability registry and an accessibility inventory to assess public, private, and household spaces.”
The NCOPD has described the consultations as a model for participatory policy-making, ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are central to the final framework.