Speaking to Kerryann Ifill
Kerryann is the first female Sightsavers supported through our education work in the Caribbean. In 2008 she was appointed as one of 12 government senators by the Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson.
How long have you been visually impaired?
I developed juvenile cataracts when I was about four years old. Due to some medical mishaps my retinas were damaged and I became blind.
How did it affect your life?
In Barbados, education for most blind people is conducted in a separate school. I was therefore concerned that I’d never get to experience regular education, but through the efforts of the government, Sightsavers and the willingness of my school (Combermere Secondary), I attended mainstream school from the age of 14. (Sightsaver’s partner the Caribbean Council for the Blind trained my teachers in how to support me.) My blindness therefore has impacted me in some ways, but not to the extent it could have. It’s just one of the challenges with which I live, like all other people.
Can you describe what it was like being a visually impaired person in a main stream/integrated school?
I loved it there. The main struggle was of course access to material for my studies, but the staff and students were very supportive. I think it was a major learning process for everyone concerned. I was best at foreign languages and other reading subjects like history and literature. I had a regular Perkins Brailler, but was given a computer in 4th form.
How long have you worked at the Barbados Council for the Disabled?
I’ve been here for over eight years. The Council is the umbrella body for 19 organisations. Our main work is in advocacy and raising awareness about the issue of disability. I work mainly on research and public relations. As in any non-profit organisation with limited cash flow, staff don’t always work within their own areas, it’s often a case of “all hands on deck”!
Do you have any extra tools and technology to help you do your job?
I use a computer with JFW installed for the most part. I also have a Pacmate and use a Sara Reading Machine.
How did you feel when you were made Senator?
I was extremely overawed and very humbled. I think my appointment has opened up a whole new line of thinking that life is not as insurmountable as it may seem; that strides can be made and people should feel inspired to press on with their goals. I’m actually Deputy President of the senate, which means I preside over committees and the whole senate when the President is absent.
Do you feel there is enough support to disabled (including visually impaired) people in Barbados/the Caribbean?
Most certainly not! There is at present no country in the English-speaking Caribbean with legislation supporting disabled people. Unemployment is high among our community and education is still very primitive for most. In the more developed countries the situation is somewhat better, but it is by no means as one would wish. I’d like to see the implementation of legislation, more public awareness about the abilities of disabled people, more employment measures put in place and better financial support for those who are unable to support themselves.
What are the main issues that face women who are blind?
I would say unemployment, poor education and lack of gender sensitivity on blindness specific matters. Our women are not taught to make the most of their skills and there is minimal support to blind women in terms of health care. The Caribbean Council for the Blind recently launched the Alliance for Women who are Blind and Visually Impaired, and I hope we will be able to move our work forward in this area.
What do you think?