Bermuda's physically-handicapped called on the Government to give them the chance to lead a normal life.

They want to be able to work and become a valuable part of society, not reliant on state benefit, but they need assistance to set the wheels in motion.

That was the message from representatives of Bermuda's caring organisations for the physically-challenged as they gathered to hear wheelchair-bound shooting victim Shelia Kitchens.

Phyllis Harshaw, a legally blind teacher at CedarBridge Academy, said there was a need for Government, businesses and the public to force an improvement in services for the disabled.

"We need to drag this community into the 90s, kicking and screaming,'' she said.

She added Government does things for tourism which benefits the disabled, but it was important that they did things that were specifically for that group.

One important aspect was inclusion, she said, particularly in schools, where the best thing was to include those groups and not exclude them from activities.

Speaker Valerie Wade, also blind, said they did not want to be supported by Government, but wanted to stand on their own two feet.

"We are still capable of working, there are middle-aged people still looking for work,'' she said.

"We want to work, we don't want to depend on people -- we want jobs to give us a chance in life.'' Guest speaker Ms Kitchens said disabled people were more capable of doing things and were more intelligent because they had to plan how they would make it through the day.

Ms Kitchens, 24, from Augusta, Georgia, was disabled after a would-be suitor shot her two years ago, after she refused to go out with him.

It was important to put pressure on the powers-that-be into changing facilities for them, she said.

"Make a lot of noise to the Government to get things done,'' she said. "Give them the jobs so they can do what they can do. Do not feel sorry for us in our struggle because we know we are going to make it.'' Groups and organisations represented at the meeting were Beacon House, Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, Deaf Awareness Association, Hope Homes and Summerhaven.