March 30, 2007
Happy Spring! (This is directed to those of you in the world that actually still have separate seasons.) Here in Grenada, everything starts to seem like a really long summer, though the months keep flying!
Things on this end continue to go really well. I recently (within the last couple months) switched organisations. I am now attached to the Grenada National Council of the Disabled. It seemed to be a better fit with the projects they have going on at a national level. When I first arrived, I helped to design informational brochures for the organisation. I've also helped to write grant proposals for some projects in HIV/AIDS targeting persons with disabilities. May Month of the Disabled is right around the corner, so we are also trying to make plans for that. We'll have various fundraisers, advocacy events, awareness lessons, etc. Our theme is "Nothing About Us Without Us", so in other words, you need to include the views of the population that you're trying to assist. Oftentimes, people make recommendations and decisions about the community of persons with disabilities without asking their opinions and ideas.
In world news, today, there was an official signing opening of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the UN Headquarters in NY. Eighty-two countries signed on, and Jamaica was the first country to ratify as well. Go Caribbean! Unfortunately, Grenada is not signing on yet. The document is still going through legal affairs, and hopefully we will sign on later. Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica also signed on today. Actually, the U.S. has yet to sign on, being that they believe they take all steps in protecting human rights for persons with disabilities already. Well great! Sign on U.S. and you'll have the least amount of changes to make!
I wrote a press release about the Convention to hopefully gain further support. In May, we'll hold a march/rally to address the cause. However, it's important for as many people as possible to start making the voice of persons with disabilities heard. It cannot be one umbrella body doing it, it has to be anyone and everything. Strength in numbers!
Originally, I was hoping today could be a day of celebration for disability rights in Grenada, but I guess we have a little bit longer of a wait time.