Disabled persons want more awareness

If you missed it, you’re not alone. Today is International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and although there was no publicity marking the day, on his own initiative President of B.C.V.I.’s Youth Advocacy Group, Hector Hoare, came to News 5 to tell us that there is a serious information deficiency in the country, which people with disabilities are trying to correct.

Hector Hoare, President, B.C.V.I. Advocacy Group

“The theme for this day is “A Voice of Our Own”. And this theme couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time because our advocacy group that has been in existence for the last two years, so this has come just at the right time for now.”

Patrick Jones

“In terms of getting a voice, do you think people with disabilities have a voice in our society today?”

Hector Hoare

“Well, not so much. But in the near future we hope to be very strong with what we want to achieve in this country for disabled persons on a whole.”

Hoare says it is important for government and lawmakers to encourage business establishments to hire disabled persons.

He says another big project his group is working on is changing how the disabled vote in elections. As it now stands, Hoare believes their rights are being infringed upon and their vote is not secret since they must tell their choice to a third party who then casts a ballot on their behalf.