Fenel Bellegarde

Fenel Bellegarde

He/him/his

Disability rights advocate

Haiti

Fenel Bellegarde is a disability rights leader, educator, and accessibility strategist transforming communication access in Haiti and beyond. With academic training in social communication, marketing, and accessibility, he teaches at Haitian universities and leads the Universal Accessibility Unit within the national disability office. Fenel founded Haiti’s first sign language institute, advancing Deaf rights and language access. Over the past year, he partnered with organizations in Quebec to produce sign language videos about cholera, launch an e-learning platform, and train over 400 youth in Haiti and the diaspora. He also co-created Haiti’s first Deaf-centered television program and advises on inclusive communication strategies nationally and internationally. His work has earned national and international honors from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, Junior Chamber International, and the Joël Lorquet Foundation for his leadership in advancing disability visibility.