Bermuda still has many issues in employment, transportation, housing, and other physical barriers, according to a visiting activist for the disabled.

And Al Swain, Assistant Director of the capital area Centre of Independent Living of the Physically Challenged Advocacy Commission in Michigan, added that people's attitudes need to change in order for barriers to come down.

“We cannot legislate attitudes. The real shift has to come with people's attitudes. I treat everyone I meet as trainable,” he said.

Mr. Swain of Michigan was the guest speaker yesterday at the proclamation on the steps of City hall to mark Access Awareness Week . He addressed some of the numerous problems the Island has in its treatment and legislature of handicapped persons.

“Much of what I will say this week you will have already heard from people here, but since I come from over 100 miles away, I become a consultant. So listen up this week,” he said.

Ann Lindroth, coordinator of physically handicapped persons at the Department of Health, said: “There really has not been very much improvement yet in Bermuda. Hopefully this week will make a difference.”

The majority of Ms Lindroth's work is to find jobs for those who are physically handicapped.

“It often might take 130 calls back and forth before we may find employment for one person,” she said yesterday.

The proclamation for the week was read by town crier Ed Christopher. It assured handicapped access to all fundamentals of daily life, and recognised the need for participation and integration of the disabled community.

Other speakers at the ceremony included the Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp and longtime advocate for the disabled, Ron Lightbourne.

A wide range of vehicles for the disabled was also on display during yesterday's presentation at City Hall. Included in the display were wheelchairs with various special features, including a multi-terrain wheelchair and a hand-pushed beach wheelchair. Ms Lindroth commented: “This is probably the biggest assembly of disabled transport ever in one place in Bermuda.”

Access Awareness Week is being held by the Department of Health in conjunction with the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association.

Mr. Swain is scheduled to speak at numerous venues during his stay, including his self-named “full-blown Al show”. His talk will be at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute auditorium tomorrow night, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.

For further information on this week's events, telephone 292-7207.