Safeguarding Inclusion: CDB Working to Advance Disability Rights in the Caribbean
CDB's Future Leaders Network Member and Disability Advocate Janeil Odle (2nd left) and CDB's Sharon Griffith (left) at the Bank's Youth Fire session during the 54th Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Canada.
Inclusion matters, and the spirited mantra of Caribbean people living with disabilities of “nothing for us without us” has resonated with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB/the Bank) as the institution continues to mainstream disability issues. The Bank is ensuring the inclusion of the differently abled in its planning and programming and is also collaborating with partners for similar approaches in their projects.
According to Dr. Anthony George, Operations Officer (Social Analyst) at CDB who has spearheaded education, policy and infrastructure initiatives for the community,
“We see the ability and the not the disability and have sought to integrate the views of the disabled community in our initiatives.”
From project Equip, to the recent partnership with Authentic Caribbean and the Government of Grenada to host the Caribbean Disability Conference and the current report on disability issues, CDB is taking meaningful action.
“We continue to seek out these voices, including and engaging this community in our efforts.”
Voices like disability advocate, Janeil Odle, are pushing the Bank to accelerate action. An Attorney-at-Law and member of CDB’s Future Leaders Network, Ms. Odle leverages her influence and strong advocacy skills to drive youth-focused change. CDB’s Future Leaders Network is a caucus of young voices advising and channeling youth focused change in the institution’s policies and programmes. Through the Bank’s youth forum, stakeholder engagement sessions, and other activities, she amplifies the call for inclusivity, ensuring that the voices of the disabled community resonate loudly. She emphasizes,
“We are not invisible. We live here and are adding value. The disabled community matters as much as anyone else. As a young black, disabled Caribbean woman, I am keen to share my unique world perspective. I have been working to highlight the numerous systemic disadvantages we face and while there are many, much more needs to be done.”
CDB’s Actions on Disability and Inclusion
CDB has embedded disability inclusion into its largest infrastructure investment project, the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) funded by the British Government. The project prioritizes managing and monitoring social and gender issues across the project cycle, with a focus on persons with disabilities.
“This involves clear standards for disability accessibility embedded in tenders and contracts, informing the design and implementation of infrastructure projects. It also includes user-review and testing by persons with disabilities”
Beyond mainstreaming disability and inclusion of the community into its programmes, CDB is at cusp of releasing findings from a new study conducted with regional partners, which sheds light on the interests of this special group. This study highlights the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and underscores the significant policy gaps that persist across the Caribbean. While progress is evident, disparities remain.
Dr. Martin Baptiste, Division Chief, Social Sector, CDB, reflects on assessments conducted in four Borrowing Member Countries – Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago,
“Although experiences vary between countries, the challenges are consistent. Issues of inclusion, equity, access, care, social protection, dignity, invisibility, and communication persist. It is imperative that the region rallies together to create a paradigm shift ensuring our disabled community is not disadvantaged.”
