The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) is set to host its annual Voices That Count Policy Forum, an event that brings together policymakers and people with disabilities to engage in dialogue about the pertinent matters that affect our disabled populations.
On Oct. 22 the St. Croix forum will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Great Hall and in the St Thomas/St. John district the forum is scheduled for Oct. 24 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Orville E. Kean Administration and Conference Center.
Shamika Thomas, executive director of VIUCEDD is excited to coordinate and execute this policy forum alongside her colleagues and the developmental disabilities network as it has become a widely anticipated function that draws hundreds of participants annually.
“We are in the 19th year of hosting this event and I’ve had a first hand account of how it continues to grow year by year. It is a unique opportunity for people with disabilities, their advocates, and family members to engage in meaningful dialogue with elected officials about the issues that are felt most deeply by our underserved populations,” explained Thomas.
“One of the reasons why this event is so important is because historically disabled populations have been left out of key conversations regarding policy curation and decision making. It is a person’s intrinsic birthright to have a say in the community they reside in. Often times the plights of our underserved populations are largely invisible to the larger population who don’t have to consider accessibly and inclusivity when going about their lives. An example of this can be seen in the fact that many places on island are still not compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations,” said Thomas
This year’s policy forum invites the sitting members of the legislative branch and aspiring senatorial candidates to sit together and engage in a panel discussion in which the questions are entirely determined by people with disabilities and the people who support them. This year’s topics are focused on transportation, housing and assisted living, employment, and healthcare, among other key themes. These topics are centered on making improvements to the quality of life of persons with disabilities in our community.
“We want lawmakers to gain an understanding of the issues and barriers people with disabilities face daily,” said Thomas
Anyone interested in attending this panel discussion can register at this link https://www.eventbrite.com/o/11380188567. If there are any questions, call 340-693-1322 or email khalifa.thomas@uvi.edu.
“Many of us don’t have to consider how we are going to enter a beach, government office, or access a sidewalk while some of our community members do. This policy forum gives people with disabilities the center stage to advocate for a higher quality of life in the Virgin Islands,” said Thomas.
