St Lucia Blind Welfare Association

Published purpose

This project aims to create a safer, more inclusive Saint Lucia by empowering young people who are blind, visually impaired, or face additional barriers with the skills, confidence, and independence needed to participate fully in school, work, and community life. By reducing social exclusion and vulnerability, key risk factors for exploitation, abuse, and unsafe environments, the project strengthens crime prevention systems and enhances long term social protection for at risk youth. Project activities include: (1) providing life skills, digital literacy, orientation and mobility training, and daily living skills to 30 youth aged 13 to 35 who are blind, visually impaired, or living with other barriers; (2) engaging 5 employers through awareness sessions, accessibility assessments, and job shadowing placements to promote inclusive hiring and safe workplace environments; (3) procuring and installing assistive technology, such as braille embossers, screen readers, laptops, tablets, and accessibility software, to support participants’ digital access, communication, and learning; and (4) conducting outreach campaigns using schools, youth centers, communities, radio, and social media to reduce stigma, encourage safe participation, and strengthen awareness of disability inclusion.