By Val Matthias. Updated 3:32 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Minister of the Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities, Local Government and Labour, Hon. Laverne Gibson‑Velox, has urged St. Vincent and the Grenadines to embrace autism as “a unique expression of humanity” and to commit to building a society where inclusion is the norm, not the exception.
Speaking on World Autism Awareness Day under the theme “Autism and Humanity, Every Life Has Value,” Gibson‑Velox outlined three priority areas for action, schools, workplaces, and communities.
She emphasized that inclusive education requires specialized teacher training, individualized learning plans, and sensory‑friendly classrooms. “Every child deserves access to quality education regardless of their abilities,” she said.
On employment, the Minister highlighted the dignity and independence that work provides, calling for expanded vocational support and inclusive hiring practices. “Individuals with autism have valuable skills that can contribute meaningfully to our economy,” she noted.
Gibson‑Velox also stressed the importance of community support, including public awareness campaigns, caregiver networks, and sensory‑friendly public spaces. “When we say every life has value, we are making a promise to see, to hear, and to uplift every individual,” she declared.
The Minister concluded by urging citizens to celebrate autism and recognize the strengths autistic individuals bring to society: “Autism does not come with an instruction guide. It comes with a family who will never give up. Let us be that family today.”
World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations in 2007 and is observed annually on April 2. It began as a campaign to raise awareness but has grown into a global movement promoting acceptance, inclusion, and recognition of autistic individuals’ contributions.
Globally, one in 127 people is diagnosed with autism, yet many still face stigma and barriers to participation. Within this global framework, Minister Gibson‑Velox’s call for inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines firmly within the international effort to ensure that every life has value.
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