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NCPD Disability ID Cards and Mobile App Program

Author: Bahamas Information Services
Published: 2020/09/24 - Updated: 2025/12/30
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Disability - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This report details a government initiative by the Bahamas National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to develop two interconnected technological solutions designed to improve service delivery for individuals with disabilities and their families. The information comes directly from Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie A. Campbell and represents official policy announcements from the NCPD Secretariat. These tools address practical needs by providing one-touch emergency services access, including text services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, comprehensive contact databases for government agencies and nonprofit organizations, video relay services for real-time communication, and visual assistance services for blind or visually impaired users. The digital identification card system, proposed in partnership with the National Insurance Board, would work similarly to senior identification systems and could function as either a physical card or digital credential linked to the mobile app. The initiative also supports disaster preparedness through an updated registry that tracks locations of individuals with disabilities for emergency evacuation purposes - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) continues to work towards two major technological shifts officials anticipate will "transform" the avenues in which the Commission and its Secretariat assist the community of persons with disabilities.

Main Content

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, who has remit for the community of persons with disabilities, said taking advantage of the digital trend that the COVID-19 environment has created, has sped up many of the Ministry's affiliate departments/entities efforts to upgrade their technological infrastructure in order to meet clients' needs wherever they are. This includes the National Commission for Persons with Disability and its Secretariat.

The two major technological shifts the NCPD continues to work towards are the Disability App and The Digital Identification Card for Persons with Disabilities. Minister Campbell said the disability register is "steadily progressing."

The NCPD has so far secured two quotes for the development of a Mobile App as Information Communications Technology (ICT) have increasingly become important and necessary in a digital age.

"Access to ICT's is one of the greatest equalizers for persons with disabilities," Minister Campbell said. "They can become life-changing tools for persons with disabilities, enabling them to more fully participate in various aspects of society. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities proposes the development of a Mobile App for persons with disabilities and their families (PwDaF), in addition to the creation of a Digital Identification Card for Persons with Disabilities."

Disability App

The primary purpose of the App is to serve as a portal whereby Persons with Disabilities and their families can have access to accurate, timely and reliable information with regard to disability-related services and support. The App's features will provide: one touch access to all Emergency Services including:

Disability ID Card

The Digital Identification Card for Persons with Disabilities is being proposed in conjunction with the National Insurance Board, and is based upon on the possibility of NIB cards including the word "Disability" on the cards of persons with disabilities, similar to what is extended for "Seniors." Another option is to have the global symbol for "disability" imprinted on their NIB card. Alternately, there exists the consideration of the Commission issuing a stand-alone card. An additional option is a digital ID Card, which is proposed to be a part of or linked to the Mobile App, though not in the initial phase of the App.

The App hopes to provide:

NCPD

Also as part of its ongoing efforts, the NCPD has also worked on updating The Registry of Persons with Disabilities as part of the measures they have implemented and undertaken to address the needs of the community of persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This list is also required for disasters to know where each person with disability is located in case evacuation is required.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: While technological solutions alone cannot address all barriers faced by people with disabilities, the NCPD's dual approach of identification credentials and mobile connectivity represents a practical step toward reducing everyday friction in accessing services and assistance. The real test of these initiatives will come in their implementation - whether the app remains current with accurate information, whether emergency responders receive adequate training to recognize and respond to the ID cards, and whether the registry system respects privacy while genuinely improving safety outcomes during disasters. Success will ultimately be measured not by the sophistication of the technology itself, but by whether it meaningfully reduces the time, frustration, and barriers that people with disabilities encounter when seeking help, accessing services, or simply navigating daily life in an increasingly digital society - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Bahamas Information Services and published on 2020/09/24, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

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APA: Bahamas Information Services. (2020, September 24 - Last revised: 2025, December 30). NCPD Disability ID Cards and Mobile App Program. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved January 30, 2026 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/ncpd-id-card.php
MLA: Bahamas Information Services. "NCPD Disability ID Cards and Mobile App Program." Disabled World (DW), 24 Sep. 2020, revised 30 Dec. 2025. Web. 30 Jan. 2026. <www.disabled-world.com/disability/ncpd-id-card.php>.
Chicago: Bahamas Information Services. "NCPD Disability ID Cards and Mobile App Program." Disabled World (DW). Last modified December 30, 2025. www.disabled-world.com/disability/ncpd-id-card.php.

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