Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks at the 2026 REACH Light It Up Blue Ceremony

Ladies and gentlemen, 

I am pleased to join you today as we come together in honour of World Autism Day, not only to promote awareness and understanding of autism, but to advance acceptance, inclusion and support for persons on the spectrum. 

This moment is significant because it calls on us to reflect on how we show up for one another as a community. 

This year’s theme, “Autism – different minds, one community,” challenges us to move beyond awareness and into action. 

It reminds us that inclusion is not only an idea that we speak about, but also a responsibility we live out every day in our schools, workplaces, and our own personal lives. 

Tonight, we “light it up blue” on behalf of persons with autism, as well as the families, the friends, the loved ones, organizations, and communities who continue to champion this important cause. 

Across The Bahamas, and around the world, we see a growing recognition of autism – but also a growing need. 

Today, 1 in 31 children is on the autism spectrum. 

That is not just a statistic. It represents our children, our students, our neighbours, and our future. 

And so, the question becomes: how are we building a society that truly includes them?

Organizations like REACH have been answering that question for decades. Since 1999, REACH has stood at the forefront of advocacy, support, and education in our community. 

I say to REACH: you have not only raised awareness, but you have changed lives and created pathways where few have existed before you. Many of the people that we are celebrating today have become who they are because of organizations like REACH. 

Tonight, I join all of you in celebrating the individuals who embody this same spirit of impact and possibility. 

We recognize Chayse William Bethel, whose journey reminds us of what we can be when potential is nurtured and shaped. 

We honour Shancina Rodgers, the 2026 Volunteer of the Year, whose service reflects the very best of us. 

And, Nafeesa Arafat, this year’s REACH Honoree, whose contributions continue to leave a lasting impact on this community. 

Their stories are examples of what is possible when we create the right support and opportunities. 

For me, this work is deeply connected to a simple belief: a nation cannot truly progress if some of its people are left on the margins. 

Inclusion must be intentional. It must be built into our policies, our programmes and our priorities. 

That means strengthening support systems, like REACH; equipping educators and families with the tools they need to give their students and children futures with promising possibilities. 

So tonight, as Rawson Square and landmarks around the world light up in blue, we stand in solidarity with all people living and succeeding with autism. 

We also reaffirm our commitment to build a community where difference is accepted, valued, and celebrated. 

I offer profound thanks to REACH for its invaluable contributions to our country. 

Let us all continue to support this noble cause and ensure that everyone on the spectrum has the support, the access to opportunity and the space to thrive. 

I extend my sincere congratulations to each of the honorees and pray that God continue to bless and guide you all.