For 50 years, the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) has been at the forefront of advocating for a more inclusive and accessible Barbados, helping to shape policies, improve public awareness and remove barriers that once limited opportunities for persons with disabilities. One of its most influential achievements has been the Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) initiative, which has encouraged businesses, public facilities and tourism stakeholders to embrace accessibility as both a human right and a key component of national development. 

The impact of the Fully Accessible Barbados initiative extends well beyond the island’s residents. For Barbadians living with disabilities, it has contributed to greater independence and participation in everyday life, while for visitors, it has reinforced Barbados’ reputation as a welcoming destination where accessibility is increasingly recognised as an essential part of the tourism experience. As the BCD celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organisation’s legacy is evident not only in the physical improvements seen across the island but also in the changing attitudes that continue to make Barbados a more inclusive place to live, work and visit. Read more about the impact and importance of the BCD in their feature in this weekend’s Sunday Sun.