DSC Lecturer Beverly Leblanc Champions Digital Inclusion on the International Stage

Stockfarm, DOMINICA — Dominica State College (DSC) is highlighting the work of lecturer Beverly Leblanc, whose international advocacy is bringing attention to the importance of accessible Internet services and inclusive digital development in Dominica.

Leblanc represented Dominica at the Internet Society Community Advocacy Workshop in Brussels, Belgium, from October 13–15, 2026. Selected through the Internet Society Community Advocacy Fellowship, she was the only participant from the English-speaking Caribbean at the workshop, which brought together advocates from Europe and Africa.

Her participation reflects the growing importance of Internet governance—the policies, standards and collaborative processes that shape how the Internet is used and managed—and the need to ensure that digital progress benefits everyone, including persons with disabilities.

Through her initiative, “Bridging the Digital Divide: Advancing Accessible, Inclusive, and Meaningful Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities in Dominica,” Leblanc is advocating for more accessible government websites and online public services. Working through Circle of Friends Inc., the nonprofit organisation she leads, she aims to encourage collaboration among government agencies, disability organisations, civil society and technology professionals to address digital barriers.

For Leblanc, access goes beyond having an Internet connection. People must also be able to navigate websites, find information and complete online transactions independently. She is therefore calling for accessibility to be considered from the outset when digital services are designed, with persons with disabilities involved in decisions that affect them.

During the Brussels programme, participants also visited the European Parliament and engaged in discussions on digital legislation and online protection, including the Digital Services Act, the proposed Digital Fairness Act and the EU KIDS Act. These discussions offered relevant perspectives on how policy can help shape safer and more inclusive digital environments.

Leblanc has also contributed to public awareness through her opinion article published by Dominica News Online, “The Open Door That Not Everyone Can Get Through,” which highlights how online services can remain inaccessible despite being available to the public.

With more than three decades of experience in education and leadership, Leblanc is also the Executive Director of Circle of Friends Inc. and founder of the Achievement Learning Centre. Her work in inclusive education and disability rights complements the broader importance of ensuring that technology and public services are designed to meet diverse needs.

As Dominica continues its digital transformation, DSC recognises the importance of conversations that connect education, public policy and inclusion. Leblanc’s work underscores the need for persons with disabilities not only to access digital services, but also to have a voice in shaping the systems and policies that influence their lives.

Read Beverly Leblanc’s opinion article here: https://dominicanewsonline.com/…/beverly-leblanc…/