VIUCEDD's 13th Annual Voices that Count Forum: ‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’

The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) will host the 13th annual Voices That Count (VTC) policy forum on Oct. 11, on the St. Thomas Campus and Oct. 13, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Both forums will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Voices That Count policy forums will bring together people with disabilities, members from the legislative branches of the Virgin Islands’ government, and the community – advocates, caregivers, family members, private businesses, and organizations – to address the challenges and issues faced by persons with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

“With joint community partnerships, VTC ensures that the voices of people with disabilities, advocates, caregivers, and family members are heard and that the Virgin Islands community and policy makers gain an understanding of the issues and barriers people with disabilities face daily,” said Shamika Thomas, VIUCEDD program coordinator for Research and Community Engagement.

Registration for the forums is now open at http://viucedd.org/. VIUCEED encourages the community to attend and meet the candidates of the Legislative Branches to discuss and address the many challenges imposed on persons with disabilities. Discussions will be centered on improvements to the quality of life for people with disabilities in the Virgin Islands. Senatorial and Delegate to Congress candidates will respond to questions developed and posed to them by members of the territory’s disability community.

VIUCEDD’s mission is to promote accessibility, inclusion, and advocacy for Virgin Islanders with disabilities and their families. Please contact the Public Relations Office at (340) 693-1059 or at pr@uvi.edu for additional information.