A world-renowned human rights lawyer and expert on disability rights recently undertook an official visit to Trinidad in honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In a programme sponsored by the National Center for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and the US Embassy, Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, co-ordinator for Disability and Inclusive Development for the United States Agency for International Development, visited Trinidad on December 3-6.
During her time in Trinidad, McClain-Nhlapo visited several local institutions serving people with disabilities, including the Princess Elizabeth Centre, the Immortelle Children's Centre for Special Education, and the Cheshire Home in San Fernando. She addressed a roundtable of 35 stakeholders in the disabilities sector. And she spoke at the NCPD's 50th Anniversary Gala in San Fernando, attended by President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, who is the official patron of the NCPD.
"We very much appreciated having Charlotte here," said NCPD CEO Beverly Beckles. "The entire disabilities community benefited from her visit, as she got to meet with all the stakeholders, sharing her experience and expertise as we seek to build a society for all."
McClain-Nhlapo said of her visit to Trinidad: "I have met some exceptionally committed professionals and activists working to realise the rights of persons with disabilities." In her remarks at the NCPD gala, she noted that President Carmona's support of the NCPD was an example of the government's leadership and commitment to this issue.