I am delighted to welcome you to The President’s House on this very special occasion. Today, we celebrate not just one, but two significant milestones—the installation of the new Council of the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association, and the upcoming celebration of your 111th anniversary. Please allow me to extend my warmest congratulations on both counts.

One hundred and eleven years of advocacy, empowerment and support for the blind and visually impaired community is no small feat. It is a powerful testament, not only to your strength and resilience as an organisation, but also to the commitment, community-involvement and spirit of service that have sustained you over the years. For over a century, you have stood as a beacon of hope, championing the rights and dignity of persons with visual impairments and working assiduously to dismantle barriers, create opportunities and ensure that the blind and visually impaired live with dignity and independence.

As Patron of the Association, I am honoured to share in this journey with you. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone—past and present—who has contributed to this extraordinary legacy.

I also take the opportunity to offer my best wishes to the newly appointed Council as you take on the mantle of responsibility and guide this Association into the future. You assume leadership at a time when the call to build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable society is more pressing than ever.

According to the World Health Organization, over 2.2 billion people globally live with some form of vision impairment. Here in Trinidad and Tobago, it is estimated that around 15,000 people are blind or partially sighted.

These statistics underscore the importance of the work you do. For many, visual impairment brings daily challenges, such as accessing education, finding employment and navigating public spaces. Their needs go well beyond medical treatment. Their needs include assistive technologies, social support and consistent advocacy to ensure full and equal participation in society.

The Blind Welfare Association has remained at the forefront of this effort. Over the years, you have consistently highlighted the role of education in our schools, workplaces and social spaces in accomplishing those aims and in fostering greater inclusion. In fact, I am told that the Office of the President is among those who have benefitted from your expertise, with members of staff receiving training on appropriate ways of interacting with blind and visually impaired persons.

Your advocacy has also encouraged other organisations, businesses and government agencies to take critical steps toward greater inclusion, for example, making websites accessible and producing official communications and printed materials in braille.

One notable achievement is the recent introduction of the official disability parking permit. This initiative, which allows individuals with certified disabilities to access designated parking spaces, is a significant step toward promoting accessibility and independence.  It is also a clear demonstration of how advocacy leads to real change, and how you, as an organisation, continue to shape a future that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.

To the newly installed Council, I encourage you to carry forward this proud legacy with the same energy, vision and dedication that have defined the Association’s work for over a century. Let us continue striving toward a society where blind and visually impaired individuals are not simply supported, but also fully integrated into every aspect of national life.

Once again, congratulations on your anniversary and my best wishes to the new Council. Thank you for the important work you do, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this significant occasion.

Thank you.