The Executive Council (BC) has taken a crucial decision: the Start Memorandum for the “Bonaire Integral Inclusion & Accessibility Program” has been submitted to the Island Council. This marks the formal launch of a historic process that will make Bonaire an island where everyone – regardless of disability – can live fully and independently. The vision is clear: “Biba Huntu: Bonaire Makes Accessibility the Law.”
The reason for this program lies in the unacceptable reality that many Bonaire residents experience daily. Parents in wheelchairs cannot independently pick up their children from school, and citizens with visual impairments struggle with inaccessible government websites. Streets, sidewalks, and doorways were simply not designed for everyone.
“This is more than just a legal matter; this is a declaration of human rights,” said Commissioner Peter Silberie, responsible for Inclusivity, Participation & Accessibility. “The Island Council now has the opportunity to affirm that the problem does not lie with the individual, but with the environment we have created. We are now going to correct that environment. This is an investment in the freedom and independence of our citizens.”
Commissioner Clark Abraham, responsible for Public Works & Public Facilities, added:
The Transformation: What Will Happen?
This Program is an integrated plan for the next ten years (LIA 2026–2036). The approach is layered and ensures a clear and enforceable system:
- The Law (EITB): The new Island Ordinance (EITB) will formally establish the legal obligation of accessibility. From its entry into force, accessibility will no longer be a choice; it will be mandatory for everything with a public function to be accessible.
- The Standard (SITB): The Island Decree (SITB) serves as the technical benchmark. It contains clear, measurable rules, such as the maximum slope of a ramp (1:12) and the required width of an accessible parking space (350 cm). This ensures uniformity.
- The Action Plan (LIA 2026–2036): The Local Inclusion Agenda contains the concrete goals. Examples include making 75% of sidewalks in the city center accessible, training school staff, and creating an accessible fleet of taxis.
Call for Participation
The Executive Council announces that the start-up phase of the program is already financially secured. The costs for appointing a specialized Program Manager and for legal support will be covered by the structurally reserved USD 150,000 in the policy budget. No new budget is requested for the initial phase.
Recruitment for the crucial position of Program Manager Inclusion & Accessibility will begin shortly. This person will be the central figure in the legislative process and the implementation of the ten-year plan.
The Executive Council calls on all citizens to actively participate. The voice of experts by experience, represented by the Komité di Inklushon, will receive a formal and crucial role as advisor to the program.
The Executive Council asks the Island Council to ratify the program so that, at the beginning of 2027, the legislation can enter into force and the implementation of the ten-year agenda can begin.