Friday, January 16, 2009

One of our major objectives is to provide rehabilitation that will enable persons with physical, mental, sensory and/or intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential and assist them in getting the required skills to direct their own life.  To achieve this, we desperately need help in two areas.

a) Since persons with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda, and most developing countries around the world, are invariably below the poverty line, it is almost impossible to acquire much-needed basic assistive equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc., or even more expensive and high-tech pieces such as assistive software and computers.  Any corporation, foundation or any other charity willing to assist, PLEASE contact us;

b) A Centre, to be possibly called ABILITY CENTRE for PERSONS with disABILITIES, designed to include assessment programmes and all types of skills training adapted to each person's specific ability.  The facility will be 100% accessible.  This is a long-term goal of the Association; however, our most immediate need is for funds to establish offices to be the focal point of the Association from which other projects and programmes can be implemented.

The self-contained structure will host:

1. Antigua & Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities  Offices;

2. Offices to be rented to (a) Other Organizations of/for Disabilities, (b) Businesses;

3. Conference and meeting rooms;

4. Recreational facilities;

5. Woodwork/Upholstery department;

6. Garment construction department;

7. Agricultural department to include projects for growing and processing;

8. Printing department;

9. Bookbinding department;

10. Facilities for making and repairing orthopedic appliances/prostheses and repairing wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc.;

11. Facilities for remedial education, independent living skills training and counseling for persons with disabilities (especially children & women) as well as parents and families of persons with disabilities;

12. A Computer Centre fitted with the most modern assistive equipment; We have already received vertebral confirmation of assistance for this department from the National Cristina Foundation.

13. Therapy rooms to facilitate (a) Speech therapy, (b) Occupational therapy, (c) Physical therapy to include a water pool for Hydro therapy;

14. Services specifically for the Mentally Challenged and/or Ill;

15. Services specifically for the Intellectually Challenged;

16. Services specifically for the Hearing-impaired/Deaf to include hearing aids, sign language, etc.;

17. Services specifically for the Vision-impaired to include spectacles, Braille, canes, etc.;

18. Doctors' offices (orthopedic, neurologist, urologist, ophthalmologists, etc.) to administer therapy/treatment in the above-mentioned was areas;

19. Accommodations to facilitate (a) Overnight/fortnight facilities for persons receiving therapy/treatment, (b) Overnight/fortnight facilities for persons attending workshops, seminars, conferences, meetings and/or Training programmes from within the Caribbean and abroad.

In order to meet this objective, we need the skills of architects, designers and builders.  However, to establish & run such a facility we will need funding and the services of businesses, professionals and individuals. 

Time and money are needed to accomplish this, so if you can help, please write or e-mail us and help us realize these crucial goals!

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