#BuildBackBetterCaribbean Ep3 S2 - The Achievement Learning Centre: turning stigma into support for a disability-inclusive society in Dominica
Podcast
About this episode
On the ‘Nature Island’ of Dominica, advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities is a 24/7 responsibility – made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Achievement Learning Centre answers this call tirelessly; working to ensure young people with disabilities have access to education, and their needs included in the design of the education system in Dominica.
On this episode, Beverly Le Blanc, Director and Ivy Yorke, Disabilities Programme Officer, talk about this organization’s commitment to supporting youth with disabilities to become full participants in their communities, through access to opportunities that respond to their requirements.
Despite difficult circumstances, the Achievement Learning Centre story is one of successfully using the uncertainty of pandemic reality to facilitate much-needed support and collaboration from their stakeholders – pushing the Centre closer to its vision of a more inclusive Dominica for persons with disabilities.
About the #BuildBackBetterCaribbean podcast series
Living with COVID-19 is about adopting behavioural changes, adapting to social disruption, and absorbing the economic impact of the pandemic. It’s our brave new normal of survival. Prevailing over the pandemic will mean applying its lessons to not only recover but to emerge stronger and more resilient.
Caribbean civil society - already in the business of social transformation – is still leading the struggle to protect human rights, improve lives and fortify communities, but now in a changed, post-COVID context: one that demands urgent, direct action to overcome the impact of the pandemic but that also presents opportunities to rebuild better and move faster towards the #Caribbeanfuturewewant.
The United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area wanted to hear directly from civil society organisations (CSOs) about their own experiences supporting clients through the global pandemic emergency, and how they perceive their roles in the rebuilding that must follow. Also, how the Sustainable Development Goal framework is supporting this reconstruction of lives and livelihoods to achieve an inclusive, peaceful, sustainable development vision.
The #BuildbackbetterCaribbean podcast series of conversations on the post-COVID Caribbean, captures CSO insights on their pandemic experience and their stories of recovery and rebuilding as they draw on the SDG toolbox to construct a brighter, more durable and resilient Caribbean future.