Another year is upon us, and the commitment made in 1983 to be the” Representative Voice” of Persons with Disabilities in Dominica is as strong and relevant today, as it was forty-one years ago.
We take pride in being among the longest existing and fully active Non-Governmental Organisations on the island, all because of our robust years of resilient advocacy which has focused on the disability community’s right to full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in society on an equal basis with others. We are cognizant of the fact, however, that such accomplishments would not have been possible, without the strong and sustained benevolence of innumerable social partners, not least among them are our fellow Dominicans.
That is why we affirm that the social life, dignity, and status of persons with disabilities have been improved as a result of your trust, faith, and support for and in our movement.
2024 marked the final year of our last five-year programme which we began implementing on January 1 st 2019, and despite being affected by the myriad challenges and crises experienced by the global community over that period, we also registered major successes.
We are currently preparing to launch and embark upon our 2025/2029 cycle of programming, and we intend to expand on capital and income-generating projects, educational activities, skills development programmes, special events, and other services once resources are acquired.
We will place heavy emphasis on local fundraising initiatives, with our National Dollar Day being the premiere event, since we are convinced that it has the potential to enable us to become self-sustaining.
In conclusion, therefore, we take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all who supported last year’s activity which officially closed on December 31, 2024. We will provide details and an account of its outcome at the official launch of the 2025/2029 Development Programme. On behalf of our membership and staff, the Board of Directors extends best wishes for a bright and prosperous New Year to all citizens and expresses deepest and profound appreciation to the many social partners who have played a tangible and supportive role in all our endeavours during the past year.
Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities Incorporated (D.A.P.D Inc.)
Together, let us create a Dominica that reflects the values of inclusivity, and equality, and commit to “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future for all, as we have been called to do during the commemoration of International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2024.
