Erin Brown Connects Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management
Disability Advocacy
Inclusion Consultancy
Disability and Compliance Training
Inclusive Travel Tou She would always reply…” Leg over Life…. It starts with us!
Our Founder is a Grand Bahama native is a sixteen year cancer survivor of great magnitudes. She celebrates every April yearly for adding another year to her life! In 2004 she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma while on break from university. She was diagnosed to have stage 4 bone cancer that had already destroyed her bone leaving her with a finger nail thin layer and was attacking her muscles. She began aggressive chemotherapy treatment, where she ultimately decided on an amputation of her left leg above the knee making her an amputee for the rest of her life. Many persons ask her why would she decide to do such a drastic thing? LIFE will win any day! “
She now lives a life of advocacy and awareness for Cancer Research, Prevention and Cure, Disability Reform and Disability Sports Tourism. In 2006 she founded her foundation The Erin Brown Foundation and Disability Program Erin Brown Connects. Where she funds and create programs that encourage the camaraderie of sports development with the building of an accessible environment for persons with disabilities. Erin Brown is truly a creative being, for she was unable to work for the nine years of amputation. Jobs were turned down or she was overlooked for she was an amputee. Therefore, she created avenues to make income and present herself in society to be seen as an 'asset' not a 'liability'. Her sole purpose to ignite a fire in persons with challenges (disabilities) that Giving up is not an option! "Our lives maybe different now, but we still are VALUABLE! "
She is currently working towards 2021 Paralympic Games Tokyo. Erin started out with a desire in which she calls ‘The Bahamian Dream’ to do what she love while inspiring persons, creating change in her inadequate handicap accessibility environment and motivate movement in her community. Through her activity she has defied so many limits such as becoming the Frist Bahamian Female Amputee to participate in Sunshine Insurance Marathon and the First Bahamian Female Amputee to cycle in Ride for Hope, Eleuthera Bahamas. She grew up in Freeport, Grand Bahama for her early years attending Freeport Bible School, St. Pauls Methodist College and Freeport Anglican High School , now known as Bishop Eldon High School. She was always active in sports; Track and Field , swimming and volley ball and active in her church Calvary Temple. She has been on various local television shows such as The Sawyer Report , radio show such as Immediate Response and Chrissy Love Reality Check and various initiatives. In the month of October 2013 Cancer Awareness month “The Bahamian Beauties Against Cancer” by another Grand Bahama native Anastaria Huyler featured in the local newspaper and a speaker for National Youth Policy Summit “ The Bahamian Dream” during Youth Month. Erin has since been recognized for many of her achievements being selected for ‘The Bahamian Collection’ exhibited at The National Art Gallery for the 40th Independence Celebrations. Nominated for The Bahamian Icon Award for Humanitarism for her Sporting Disability Foundation Erin Brown Connects. In 2014 she has Co-Produced 'The Vagina Monologues' with Director Rowena Poitier of Bahamas Artist Movement which joined a global movement called VDay where awareness and proceeds are raised to end violence against women and children. As a major player in the Fashion, Beauty and Entertainment Industry, Fashion for a Cause, a runway debut of international designers and local couture boutiques created by New York Kendrick Kemp, Bahamian native. In the capacity of Beauty Director Erin established a team of local and highly talented makeup artist and hairstylist for the event. Erin is a mother of one boy and two girls, daughter of Edwin Wykee Brown and Tangy Brown nee Armbrister (both deceased) , a Disability Inclusion Consultant, Para-Triathlon athlete, motivational speaker, advocate and activist and most importantly Bahamian. She is proud to represent her homeland and give a new light on what disability looks like in the 21st Century. Contacted by email ERINBROWNCONECTS@GMAIL.COM
Building a More Inclusive Bahamas: Engaging Civil Society on PWD
On February 6th we met with passionate advocates from R.E.A.C.H. and University of The Bahamas Office of Disabilities and Compliance to discuss the pressing issues affecting persons with disabilities (PWD) in The Bahamas. From education and healthcare to employment and social protection, the discussion was a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Education & Inclusion:
• Special education units exist but lack resources and integration into mainstream schools.
• Many educators are untrained in neurodivergence, creating barriers for students.
• Legislation exists but lacks enforcement—amendments have been proposed but remain untabled.
✅ Healthcare Challenges:
• Diagnostic services are severely limited, with no public assessments available for children under 5 and few options after age 16.
• Parents struggle to make medical decisions for adult children with disabilities due to legal roadblocks.
• Medical professionals often lack disability sensitivity training, leading to biased treatment.
✅ Employment & Social Protection:
• Employers need disability sensitivity training, alongside real strategies for implementation.
• NIB policies unintentionally penalize persons with disabilities, with no dedicated disability benefits and loss of support for PWD business owners.
• Public transportation remains inaccessible, limiting independence for persons with disabilities.
Stay connected as we engage on this crucial Human Rights priority!
CAPTION: (L-R) Greer Bain, R.E.A.C.H .; Michelle Brathwaite, Regional Representative OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office; Erin Brown, Disability Inclusion Consultant, University of The Bahamas Office of Disabilities and Compliance (and Erin Brown Connects Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management ). (CARICOM RO Photo)
24/01/2025
Our Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Initiative is now officially underway, and we're excited for you to that are making this possible.
Erin leads the University of the Bahamas, Office of Disabilities and Compliance as the Disability and Compliance Officer, , where she liases University stakeholders, the business community, government ministries and boards promoting disability inclusion. She self-identifies as a limb difference individual and is recognized for her work as a disability inclusion consultant and activist. Her wide-reaching experience includes participation in multiple committees and organizations including the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Caribbean Disability Network.
As a mentor she hopes to increase access, inclusion and opportunities for disabled business owners, entrepreneurs, employees and disability-led enterprises and organizations, while increasing inclusive allyship.
07/01/2025
SBDC Bahamas
Are you or someone you know an entrepreneur with a disability?
The Small Business Development Centre wants to connect entrepreneurs with disabilities with access to funding, training, and more through our Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Initiative!
For more information, join our information session this Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 PM.
Please DM us if you need support in completing the process.
Together, We Continue....
05/10/2024
"Now let me get this straight:
You want things that you don't yet have,
people in your life who you don't yet know,
and events to take place that haven't yet occurred, so that once these "things"
come to pass
you'll feel happy,
confident,
and fulfilled;
accomplished,
desired,
and appreciated;
treasured,
adored,
a-beautiful-sight-to-see?
But…
weren’t these the rationale for all your earlier dreams that you’ve ALREADY manifested?
Green light!..."
Stacy Campbell Marshall we met on a cool night at the NAGB at a fundraiser that poured into my paralympic development. You sang and we talked... the rest is history. We connected and remained allies in all that we touch.
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Erin Brown Connects Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management:
Erin E. Brown, a Grand Bahama, The Bahamas native is a osteosarcoma (bone cancer) survivor , Disability Inclusion Consultant & Disability Compliance Advocate, Para Triathlete ,entrepreneur, international motivational speaker, a nation builder and trailblazer dedicated to provide Diversity and Disability Inclusion to all facuets of life throughout The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the Caribbean Region at large.
2004 Diagnosed with stage 4 OsteoSarcoma ( bone Cancer) began aggressive chemotherapy treatment, ultimately receiving an amputation of her left leg above the knee in order to save her life.
“Leg over Life…. LIFE will win any day!”
2006 The Erin Brown Foundation was established and Erin Brown Connects was not far behind providing Disability Sports . Where she funds and create programs that encourage the camaraderie of sports development with the building of an accessible environment for persons with disabilities.
Erin Brown is truly a creative being.
Her amputation made it difficult to acquire steady work. Jobs were turned down or she was overlooked going to interviews with her crutches. Therefore, she re-positioned her role as an asset and not a liability.
During the early years, post amputation her expertise in makeup artistry and hair stylist and brand development allowed her to enrich the creative industry providing services and filling a niche in the Fashion, Beauty and Entertainment Industry. As time progressed Erin Brown Connects became a multi-dimensional Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management company that provides non profit and civil society support for all means of disability inclusion .
Her sole purpose to ignite a fire in individuals with disabilities that ‘Giving up is not an option!’
"Our lives are different now, yet we still are VALUABLE! It starts with us! "
To date, DISABILITY INCLUSION 2019 has been launched to provide sustainable resources, support and empowerment for civil society, organizations and individuals living with disabilities the chance to thrive via inclusive spaces.
A bit of Background :
Erin started out with a desire in which she calls ‘The Bahamian Dream’ to do what she love while inspiring persons, creating change in her inadequate handicap accessibility environment and motivate movement in her community.
Through her activity she has defied so many limits such as becoming the first bahamian female amputee to participate in Sunshine Insurance Marathon and the First Bahamian Female Amputee to cycle in Ride for Hope, Eleuthera Bahamas. This has lead to Erin historical journey as the First Para Triathlete hopeful training for 2020 Paralympic Games , Tokyo Japan and establishing ; Bahamas Paralympic Committee.
She grew up in Freeport, Grand Bahama for her early years attending Freeport Bible School, St. Paul’s Methodist College and Freeport Anglican High School , now known as Bishop Eldon High School. She was always active in sports; Track and Field , swimming and volley ball and active in her church Calvary Temple.
She has been on various local television shows such as The Sawyer Report , radio show such as Immediate Response and Chrissy Love Reality Check and various initiatives.
In the month of October 2013 Cancer Awareness month “The Bahamian Beauties Against Cancer” by another Grand Bahama native Anastaria Huyler- Palacious featured in the local newspaper and a speaker for National Youth Policy Summit “ The Bahamian Dream” during Youth Month.
Erin has since been recognized for many of her achievements being selected for ‘The Bahamian Collection’ exhibited at The National Art Gallery for the 40th Independence Celebrations. Nominated for The Bahamian Icon Award for Humanitarianism for her Sporting Disability Foundation Erin Brown Connects.
In 2014 she has Co-Produced 'The Va**na Monologues' with Director Rowena Poitier- Sutherland of Bahamas Artist Movement which joined a global movement called VDay where awareness and proceeds are raised to end violence against women and children. As a major player in the Fashion, Beauty and Entertainment Industry, Fashion for a Cause, a runway debut of international designers and local couture boutiques created by New York Kendrick Kemp, Bahamian native. In the capacity of Beauty Director Erin established a team of local and highly talented makeup artist and hairstylist for the event.
Erin is a mother of three children; eldest Son ; Aaron, eldest daughter; Jaserin-Aileen (deceased) and youngest daughter; Jupiter.
Daughter of Senator Edwin Wheelock ‘Wykee; Brown and Tangy Brown nee Armbrister natives of New Providence, The Bahamas ( both deceased), both dedicated national athletes, civic & political giants in their homeland.
Contacted by email ErinBrownCoNects@gmail.com
Facebook: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/EBCONNECTS
Twitter: @ErinBrwnConnect
Instagram: Erin Brown Connects
Telephone: 242-807-4330.
If you have any more questions feel free to make contact any time!
