The President of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Bernard Warner, is to be nominated for a national award in recognition of his decades of outstanding service to persons living with disabilities.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne during a town hall meeting held last week.

Warner, who has lived with a disability himself, has been a tireless advocate for the rights, dignity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities for more than 30 years. His leadership has been central to advancing inclusion and improving the quality of life for some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

Among his many achievements, Warner has played a pivotal role in the implementation of the GEF Small Grants Programme, successfully accessing over EC$100,000 to support initiatives aimed at helping persons with disabilities become more self-sufficient and economically empowered.

He has also been instrumental in ensuring daily mobility for members of the Association, personally coordinating and providing transportation to and from their homes, enabling consistent access to services, programmes, and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Warner’s commitment was especially evident. He led efforts to deliver food and essential supplies to persons living with disabilities and actively lobbied for improved housing conditions, ensuring that the unique challenges faced by this group were not overlooked during the national emergency.

The planned national award nomination recognises not only Warner’s long-standing advocacy, but also his unwavering dedication, compassion, and practical action in advancing the rights and well-being of persons living with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda.