‘Circle Of Friends’ and Its Partner Organizations remain committed to advocating for persons with disabilities across the region, and made a major presentation to that effect at the SIDS4 Conference in Antigua

Circle of Friends, a non-profit agency dedicated to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, particularly youth and children, proudly announced its participation in the side event - Enabling Inclusion: Addressing Disability Challenges. at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda. 
 
The side event, held on May 30, 2024, brought together organizations representing persons with disabilities and special needs worldwide, to discuss the importance of investing in human capital in SIDS, by addressing disability and special needs issues & harnessing the potential of people with disabilities. 
 
Beverly LeBlanc, Executive Director of Circle of Friends Inc, expressed the significance of this milestone, stating, “This is really a momentous occasion for us, particularly after having worked for 14 years together in our different meetings, weekly meetings.  
 
And then we had the declaration of St. John’s, which was approved because it was developed in 2023. And then now we are here. So this is a milestone for us as an organization of persons with disabilities, showing that if we work together, we can achieve much.” 
 
The side event emphasized the importance of inclusion in the sustainable development of people with disabilities. Bernard Warner, President of The Antigua and Barbuda Association for Persons Living with Disabilities (ABAPD), highlighted the collective effort of regional organizations. Kerwin Thomas, President of the Disabled People International Trinidad and Tobago Chapter said, “This conference adds some value in terms of how we move things forward for the region.”  
 
Joshuanette Francis, President of Good Humans 268, emphasized the need for action beyond the conference, saying, “We have to design programs, projects, partnerships, and policies to achieve sustainable development goals 10 & 11.”The side event dubbed, Enabling Inclusion: Addressing Disability Challenges, marks a significant step forward in the global effort to address the needs of persons with disabilities and special needs in Small Island Developing States. Circle of Friends & its partner organizations remain committed to advocating for persons with disabilities globally.  ​