Bermuda lags far behind many countries in its treatment of people with special needs, and has some major catching up to do.

That is the conclusion psychology student Mark Taylor reached at the end of extensive and wide-ranging research, during which he interviewed the people most affected by Bermuda's inadequacies: the disabled, parents, teachers and therapists.

Mr. Taylor's findings will come as no surprise to the physically challenged, who have been lobbying for decades for Government and insurance companies, among others, to enact the changes which will allow them to enjoy better lives. Thus far, they have met with little success, and progress has been limited at best.

Bermuda regularly pats itself on the back in many areas, and regards itself as a sophisticated, with-it community -- a view which is seriously at variance with what Mr. Taylor discovered in relation to how it treats its special needs citizens.

Indeed, the public is generally unaware, and often indifferent, to just how inadequate and unsatisfactory Bermuda's treatment of special needs people is.

In his study, entitled "The Cockroach Approach -- Investigating Attitudes to Disabled People in Bermuda,'' Mr. Taylor first pinpoints the benefits and assistance the Island fails to extend to its special needs citizens, and then goes on to define solutions. Included in the former are the following: Social Insurance: No specific benefit for the disabled. They pay the same deductions as everyone else. What meagre benefit some receive disregards the fact they are disabled.

Accessibility in public accommodation: Many establishments fail to meet all criteria required for the totally unassisted in wheelchairs.

Accessibility literature: There is no definitive literature for disabled visitors in relation to accommodation, shops, restaurants, and places of interest. (There are, however, web sites).

Accommodation facilities for local disabled: Supply is inadequate to meet demand, including for those requiring nursing care.

Transportation: (a) Buses are not wheelchair friendly, and there is no reserved seating or signs for the ambulatory disabled. (b) Few taxi drivers who accepted tax free incentives to buy specialised vehicles are obeying the proviso that they must give priority to special needs passengers. Some are even overcharging these passengers, and others have removed the special equipment from their cabs. (c) There are not enough specialised vehicles available to meet demand.

(d) No Customs duty exemption for the disabled on the purchase price of motor vehicles, or special parts to adapt them. In Europe and North America specialised vehicles receive an automatic rebate.

Insurance: In desperate need of reform. Medical insurance companies rarely meet a fraction of the huge financial costs often incurred by special needs people. Insurance legislation restricts provision and purchase of physical aids, such as prosthetic devices. Example: insurance companies are only obliged to provide one hearing aid to the value of $1000 in a deaf person's lifetime. New hearing aids cost between $3500 and $4500 each. Also, cover does not allow for replacement and repair for a growing child who may lose or break the original hearing aid. The Artificial Limb Act sets a maximum limit of $15,000, whereas the actual costs ranges from $45,000 to $150,000. Therefore, many special needs people rely on charities to assist with high costs.

Education: There is an extreme lack of communication between the decision makers in Government, the Department of Education, and the many people directly involved with special needs children: parents, teachers and therapists. No attempt is made to seek their input or draw on their experience, despite the fact that they are the ones affected by Government decisions.

Lack of funds and resources hampers mainstreaming of special needs children in Government schools. Occupational therapists, equipment, therapy rooms and materials are insufficient. Co-ordination of programmes is lacking. Little thought is given to the huge problem of transportation, training, support and recognition for the teachers who are expected to adapt to these changes and the extra work they bring.

Job opportunities and training: These are seriously lacking for the physically challenged. Many survive on minimum wages and little or no Government assistance. The Employment Tax and Employers Pension laws make no special provision for the physically disabled.

Disability benefit: There is no strictly independent disability benefit which considers the added expenses and specific needs of the disabled. Many special needs people are on low fixed incomes, unemployed, and with many receiving no disability benefit at all before normal retirement age. Benefits offered are totally inadequate by North American, European and United Kingdom standards, where the cost of living is much less than Bermuda.

The Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA) can only pay its 18 workers the minimum hourly wage of $2.50, otherwise the few who receive some Government assistance would lose their benefits. As a result, the workers barely earn enough to pay for food. They do menial work, mainly sorting and filling envelopes for Government, although they are capable of much more fulfilling and challenging work. Also, BPHA must pay Government a quarterly business tax of $800.

Access to restaurants, shops, supermarkets, public buildings, cinemas, sidewalks, sports facilities: Many of these venues, including the House of Assembly, the Supreme Court, upper level of the National Gallery, are either totally or only partially wheelchair accessible. The disabled are tired of "the cockroach approach'' -- accessing restaurants through the kitchen or service elevators. Overall, Bermuda's wheelchair accessibility is poor.

Public toilets, ramps: Insufficient.

Public attitudes: Often ill-informed and lacking in sensitivity. Commonly assumption is that physical and mental disability are synonymous, particularly in terms of wheelchair users.

Mr. Taylor's study then summarises and defines what Bermuda needs to do to correct and improve the lives of the people with special physical needs. His recommendations include the following: Work place: More and improved job opportunities and training Transportation: (1) Improved needs, including public transport, with more exclusive availability of specialised vehicles. 2. Legislation ensuring that all genuinely registered disabled people receive zero duty on the importation of a car used by them, or primarily used to transport them, with comprehensive safeguards to restrict its use.

Benefits/Financial Assistance To be greater, clearly defined, and freely available.

Inadequate medical insurance coverage and related legislation Review both.

Residential facilities: Increase the number.

Education: Inclusive discussion between all concerned parties, including parents, teachers and therapists, with further and continued review of the education system, particularly in regard to the current issue of implementing mainstreaming.

Media, public awareness, special newsletter: Greater media exposure plus continued efforts to improve public awareness of the specific needs and problems of Bermuda's special needs people is needed. Also, a regular newsletter communicating relevant issues should be published and distributed to all special needs people, as in other countries where such publications are offered in large print, audio cassette and Braille formats.

More must be done for the disabled in society Human Rights Act: 1. Bring access to buildings, particularly retail and recreation, in line with this Act, including a review of available Government grants for renovation, adaptation, and modifications to premises to facilitate equal opportunity. 2. Add "enduring mental illness'' to the Act.

Municipal licensing of shops, restaurants and services, with a special category for any genuinely adequate or good facilities, for special needs people including entrances, exits, bathrooms and elevators -- as is done where most visitors come from.

Accommodation: Provide accurate information on Bermuda's accommodation facilities.

Disabled parking: Institute heavier penalties for offenders using designated disabled parking areas.

Closed captions: Include, particularly for local TV newscasts.

Government responsibility: Government Ministers to take active responsibility for relevant issues.

"All of these issues present Bermuda with a huge challenge to step up to the plate to make these positive changes, but the longer it delays the more the resident population of people with special needs have to suffer an unnecessarily difficult and poorer quality of life,'' Mr. Taylor warns.

"Bermuda is a terrible place to live if you are in a wheelchair,'' one frustrated citizen said. "I am hoping I will soon get my wish to leave and live in the US where I can expand my thinking, where the benefits are so much better, and mobility is so much easier.'' Similar anger was expressed by a stroke survivor who also wanted to move abroad "because the benefits, concessions, considerations and allowances are so much better than Bermuda''.

No-one wanted charity, however. Rather, the disabled simply wanted to be fully accepted members of the community, and to be helped with the training and other opportunities necessary to lead productive, independent lives through their own efforts, just as the able bodied do.

With his study now in the hands of various interested bodies and Government Ministers, including Health Minister Nelson Bascome, the author says it is his "greatest hope'' that it will not only "generate dialogue between respective organisations, authorities and the media'', but be followed by genuine "improvements and positive changes''.

"As with most things (in Bermuda), nothing seems to happen overnight, and it is usual to find that it is only with conviction, determination, drive and hard work that changes are made,'' Mr. Taylor says. "I do sympathise with those people to whom I have spoken who feel like giving up because, at times, it seems that nothing is ever done.'' Photos by Arthur Bean If only... Able-bodied psychology student Mark Taylor sits on the stairway of the Sessions House -- one of many public buildings still inaccessible to the wheelchair disabled. He hopes that, following distribution of his study, "The Cockroach Approach -- Bermuda's Attitude to the Disabled,'' to various charities, organisations and Government ministers, major changes will be wrought to improve the lives of the disabled.