This is the message that visiting Disability Equality Trainer Dr. Stephen Duckworth hopes to get across to all during the upcoming Access Awareness week.

Dr. Duckworth, who has a quadriplegic injury, is managing director of Disability Matters Ltd. in the UK -- a training consultancy which aims to dispel myths and misconceptions about employing the disabled.

Invited to Bermuda by occupational therapist Miss Joanne Pratt and the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Duckworth said he also hopes to encourage disabled people to get more involved with Access Awareness week and therefore obtain more information and knowledge about what is available.

He said accessibility for disabled people in Bermuda is about the same as in England.

But he said there is room for improvement in public transportation, education, and employment.

"I am trying to get people to think about the problems if we stay as we are,'' Mr. Duckworth said. "I'm not saying Bermuda has not done a lot.

Bermuda has done a great deal. But what is the next stage.'' The 31-year-old doctor, who is currently developing techniques to improve the employment of disabled people, said in addition to physical barriers, disabled people are also faced with institutional barriers, such as segregated schools, and the attitude barrier usually caused by a lack of integration between the disabled and able-bodied people.

He said a disabled person who is segregated by the education system, may internalise the low expectations teachers, career officers, and society have of them, and therefore not achieve his or her full potential.

Dr. Duckworth said as a result of this there may not be many disabled people who are employment-ready, but he said: "Whether they have a severe learning disability, a mental handicap or a physical disability there is no reason why people can't work.

"Technology is now available which enables blind people to read. There are telephones that deaf people can use. All the equipment is available. But it is the fundamental lack of knowledge by employers about what is available.'' Research in the US and UK, Dr. Duckworth said, "indicates that disabled have less time off sick, they are equally, and sometimes more, productive and are more loyal''.

He said this has been attributed to the fact that disabled people usually are not alarmed by minor illnesses; they fear that by taking time off employers will view will think it is linked to their disability; and they have problem-solving skills.

"If you've had a disability you've had to overcome a severe problem and you developed very good problem-solving skills. And the current employment market is looking for problem solvers.'' Dr. Duckworth will officially open Access Awareness week at St. Paul's AME Centennial Hall on Monday night. He will speak at various venues throughout the Island during the week.

The hall will also contain a Ministry of Cultural and Community Affairs-sponsored Designs for Living Exhibition.

A unique feature of the exhibition is that it is designed to encourage participants to experience the exhibits. On display there will be an adapted living unit, telephones for the hearing impaired, rroducts for the blind and the visually impaired, security systems for the home and appliances for independent living.

The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dr. Stephen Duckworth.