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Wishes, ideas, aspirations, plans. At the entrance to the Saint-Jean stadium, small handwritten notes were posted on the large panels of the “Wall of Commitment.” This was the first initiative organized as part of Disability Awareness Fortnight, a joint effort by the Territorial House for People with Disabilities (MTPH), the Collectivité, the Department of Social Cohesion, and all organizations and associations in Saint-Barthélemy (see JSB 1658).
On March 30, the Fortnight was inaugurated during a ceremony held at the Saint-Jean Stadium. This was followed, on Wednesday, April 1, by a conference for teachers, a career fair at Mireille Choisy Middle School, and the opening at the Collectivité’s headquarters of an exhibition of visual art created by young people from the island. Other important events are on the Fortnight’s calendar. Starting with roundtable discussions during which crucial topics related to disability will be addressed.
Disabilities Among Young People
This Thursday, April 2, at 5:30 p.m., a roundtable discussion for families (parents, caregivers, grandparents, etc.) will be held at the Gustavia Harbor Master’s Office. The discussion will take place in the presence of representatives from the MTPH of Saint-Barthélemy. This is to answer all questions, whether they concern diagnosis, support, educational inclusion, or the daily lives of young people with disabilities. A space for discussion that aims to be supportive, practical, and open, with professionals providing direct answers.
Open to all affected families, free of charge, and no prior registration required.
Employment for People with Disabilities
On Wednesday, April 8, at 2:00 p.m., also at the Harbor Master’s Office, the focus will be on employment-related issues. This meeting is intended for employers, employees, job seekers, and those wishing to retain their current positions. The DEETS (Regional and Interdepartmental Directorate for the Economy, Employment, Labor, and Solidarity), France Travail, Cap Emploi, Agefiph, and occupational health services will be represented. The goal is to have an open discussion on recruitment, workplace accommodations, financial assistance, RQTH (Recognition of Status as a Disabled Worker), and concrete solutions for inclusive employment in Saint-Barthélemy. Experts will answer all practical questions.
Samantha Lake, from France Travail, will speak on the professional integration of job seekers, presenting the range of services and highlighting the Handi Match tool in particular.
For the job retention component, which falls primarily under the purview of Cap Emploi, Mathieu Barlagne or Marie Custos (Cap Emploi advisors) will address this topic to provide comprehensive and complementary insights.
Agefiph, represented by Séverine Jalce (Research and Development Officer / Regional Coordinator for Agefiph Antilles-Guyane), will provide a practical overview of financial assistance, employer commitments (hiring bonuses, workplace accommodations, job retention), and tailored regional initiatives.
Finally, Dr. Tunde Krendl will represent occupational medicine and discuss its key role in risk prevention and the early detection of situations of social exclusion related to disability, pre-employment and return-to-work medical examinations, fitness-for-work assessments with restrictions, proposals for workplace accommodations, and coordination with employers, Cap Emploi, and Agefiph.
The meeting is open to everyone (both employers and beneficiaries), with no registration required.
High-impact campaign
Two other events are on the week’s agenda. A “high-impact” campaign on accessibility for people with reduced mobility is scheduled for this Saturday, April 4, starting at 10 a.m., in Gustavia and in supermarket parking lots. Participants will be invited to place stickers on improperly parked vehicles. A “shock” awareness campaign.
On Tuesday, April 7, a regional meeting of elected officials on disability issues will be held at 5 p.m. at the Collectivité building. Representatives from disability organizations on the island will be in attendance.
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A Life Dedicated to Serving Others: A Profile
Edwine Lagier of OVE Caraïbes
Head of the Medical-Educational Institute (IME) and the Specialized Care Home (MAS) in Saint-Barthélemy, Edwine Lagier is a member of the OVE Caraïbes association. In an interview with the JSB, she discusses her commitment to helping vulnerable people since she was very young. “Raised in a family where the values of compassion and mutual aid were essential, I quickly understood that every gesture, no matter how small, could make a real difference in the lives of others,” she explains. “I started by handling the administrative, financial, and human resources management of a personal services association dedicated primarily to the elderly. Then, in January 2021, I joined the OVE CARAÏBES association, which allowed me to work alongside and assist in managing therapeutic coordination apartments, providing support to those living with chronic, debilitating illnesses and social issues. I was also involved in managing two day centers for older adults with intellectual disabilities, thereby expanding my impact on this population.” To deepen her knowledge and skills, she returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in medical-social management. In 2023, her management offered her the position of department head at the IME and the future MAS in Saint-Barthélemy. “I didn’t hesitate for a second,” she says. “This challenge represents much more than a career advancement; it is a personal commitment to continuing my mission of helping and supporting vulnerable people. The IME team works tirelessly every day to help children thrive, gain independence, and maintain their skills, thereby promoting their inclusion in society.”
Together with Didier Witczak, regional director, as well as the Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy, the Regional Health Agency, and the Handi-relais association, Edwine Lagier is actively working toward the upcoming opening of the MAS. “A project that promises to revolutionize the services offered to people with disabilities in the territory of Saint-Barthélemy,” she says. “My dedication to people with disabilities is not only a source of inspiration for me, but also a driving force for change in our society.”
