President Dr Patrick Herminie today marked the approach of Global Accessibility Awareness Day with a surprise visit on Jason Winslow, a young boy living with disability who had long wished to meet the new Seychelles Head of State. The encounter took place at the Office of the First Lady at Bel Eau and began with the symbolic unveiling of the fully upgraded premises, redesigned to improve accessibility for persons living with disabilities.
Among the centrepieces of the redesigning of the building is a new wheelchair-accessible ramp, designed pro bono by Jason's father, a civil engineer. An excited Jason personally guided President Herminie on a tour of the completed works, walking him through the accessible flooring, adapted toilet facilities, and renovated meeting room that form part of the broader transformation of the premises. The tour also included a visit to the production studio established for Alec & Kids, a children's educational television series produced through a collaboration between the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and the Office of the First Lady.
Following the tour, the Winslow family sat down with the President to discuss the broader accessibility agenda they are advancing in partnership with multiple organisations and stakeholders. Their stated objective is to make Seychelles the most accessible country in the region. Discussions highlighted progress made across education, tourism, transportation, and healthcare. Some of the projects in the pipeline include an accessible ramp at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS), a comprehensive review of mobility access within the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC), and the introduction of beach mats to facilitate wheelchair and trolley access to coastal areas.
Central to the family's advocacy efforts is Christine Winslow, who heads Ramp Up Rise Up, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing accessibility for persons with disabilities in Seychelles. Christine also founded Sey Mobility, a transportation service providing dedicated mobility support for wheelchair users. Both organisations are accessible online for further information and services.
Speaking with visible excitement, Jason remarked: “The President is doing a good job. We have seen changes.”
The Winslow family has extended this same commitment across several other public spaces. Their most recent pro bono contribution includes a new ramp at Unity Stadium, expected to be completed in time to enable Jason and other persons with disabilities will be able to attend Seychelles' 50th Independence Day celebrations in June. It is a milestone that carries particular personal significance for the family. Last October, Jason had made his way to Unity Stadium to witness the inauguration of President Herminie, only to find there was no accessible ramp at the venue. Unable to enter, he turned back without having witnessed a moment of the ceremony. The new ramp represents a meaningful step towards ensuring that such experiences are not repeated.
The family identified the absence of a National Accessibility Action Plan and supporting legislative framework as a key structural challenge to sustained progress.
"The Government understands the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and is fully committed to addressing them, through legislation, dedicated support, and the resources necessary to build a Seychelles where no one is left behind”, reassured the President.
The programme also included a formal introduction to staff at the Office of the First Lady, including two employees engaged under the Build Your Dream programme, an initiative of the Office of the First Lady providing structured employment opportunities for persons with special needs.
Later in the day, the Office of the First Lady also hosted the opening of a new playground at its premises, an initiative sponsored by the Green Island Construction Company (GICC). The event formed part of a full day of activity in the lead-up to Global Accessibility Awareness Day, observed globally on Thursday 21 May.
About Jason Winslow
Jason Parker Winslow is a young Seychellois advocate living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive and incurable condition that has never diminished his extraordinary spirit. Born to South African parents who have made Seychelles their home, Jason was diagnosed at the age of six. He is a passionate member of Ramp Up, Rise Up Association, an NGO founded by his mother Christine Winslow, which advocates for accessibility for persons with disabilities across Seychelles. A lover of history, museums and travel, Jason is known for his remarkable memory and an almost instinctive ability to navigate and describe places with precision — a gift those close to him describe as a built-in GPS. Despite the physical progression of his condition, his determination to see Seychelles become the most accessible country in the region remains resolute. Jason's story is one of courage, advocacy, and an unshakeable belief that every person — regardless of ability — deserves to participate fully in the life of their nation.