Inclusion Cayman Making Waves

By Stuart Wilson

The 8th annual ‘Making Waves Breakfast’ was held at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman on 11th June, 2026.

In attendance were representatives from the business community and the government, along with members and supporters of the Inclusion Cayman organisation and the event’s organisers. They gathered in the ballroom of the hotel for an update on the organisation’s activities and to hear stories of victory over coming adversity.

Inclusion Cayman, which started in 2008 as the Special Needs Foundation Cayman, has established itself at the forefront of “advancing inclusion, accessibility, and equitable opportunities across the Cayman Islands.”

Daniel Reid, Chairman of the Board for Inclusion Cayman, told the audience that in the past year the organisation has continued to advance its mission of a more inclusive Cayman Islands where every individual is valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

He noted that, with the assistance of donors, Inclusion Cayman has assisted more than 100 families and provided inclusive employment opportunities with forward-thinking businesses, in addition to conducting over 30 workshops and training sessions for over 100 participants.

Inclusion Cayman board member, Brent Holt, added: “In 2018 we made an intentional decision to shift the focus from education about disabilities to actually getting persons with disabilities included. What we do is support individuals who may have intellectual developmental disabilities in finding employment in real jobs with real pay, and assisting in creating opportunities for them to create lasting relationships.”

Mr Holt explained that this means those who may have developmental challenges will not be sidelined. “We actually train regular camps and regular settings to be able to include persons with these types of disabilities,” he noted.

The Inclusion Cayman official also noted that as the law in Cayman regarding disabilities is being rewritten, Inclusion Cayman is playing a pivotal role in helping to guide that legislation, with high-ranking members of the organisation also serving as members of the National Disabilities Council.

Inclusion Cayman has also partnered with the Cayman Islands Airport Authority to include Cayman in the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme which is recognised in over 300 airports.

“All of this has happened at no cost to the individuals and families that we serve. Our work is grounded in three pillars: education, inclusive employment and inclusive community life,” Daniel Reid, Chairman of the Board for Inclusion Cayman remarked.

“We are now at an inflection point and more families than ever are seeking support in navigating the education system, more meaningful employment opportunities are needed, requests for training, accessibility support, and inclusion programming are increasing across the Cayman Islands,” Mr Reid stated.  

“The need is clear, the momentum is real, and the opportunity is here to scale our impact. This work matters and it changes lives; mine included,” noted the Chairman, who revealed that his son is on the autism spectrum and has benefited greatly from the programme.

“The sea of need is vast but our collective resolve is powerful. Together we can make waves that reach every classroom, workplace, and community in these beloved Cayman Islands,’ he added. 

CEO of Inclusion Cayman, Shan Harriman, said the breakfast was more than an annual fundraiser. “It’s a celebration of possibilities, a reflection of progress, and a reminder that when a community chooses inclusion, lives are changed.”

Opportunity, belonging, and a future are the hallmarks of what drives Inclusion Cayman, according to Mrs. Harriman, who expressed some of the hopes and dreams she and many other parents share for their children.

She lauded the accomplishments of Inclusion Cayman and what it has been able to do with the help of its donors and supporters.

Mr. Harriman said all too often parents wonder, “What will happen to my son and daughter when I am no longer here? This is not because you don’t believe in your child or see their potential, but because you love them so much. You wonder whether they will have friends who will call just to say ‘hi’, whether she will have meaningful work, whether they will be welcomed in our community, and whether they will continue to belong because every parent’s hope is the same thing; not a perfect life but one with dignity.”

Inclusion Cayman also recently achieved accreditation as the Cayman Islands chapter of the Best Buddies programme. Mrs. Harriman said this work is about one thing above all else… friendship. “Because inclusion is not just about education, it’s about belonging and having someone who chooses to sit with you and walk beside you.”

Friendship changes lives, she said, pointing out that with the help of Minister Rolston Anglin and the Ministry of Education, the Best Buddies programme will be launched at schools across the Cayman Islands.