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Work on Disabilities Codes and Regulations to Begin January

By: , December 14, 2016

The Key Point:

Work is expected to begin in January 2017 on the codes and regulations for the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).
Work on Disabilities Codes and Regulations to Begin January
Photo: Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, greets members of the disabled community before the start of the national service for Disabilities Awareness Week at Grace Baptist Church in May Pen, Clarendon. In the background is Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Christine Hendricks.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, greets members of the disabled community before the start of the national service for Disabilities Awareness Week at Grace Baptist Church in May Pen, Clarendon. In the background is Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, Christine Hendricks.

The Facts

  • Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, made the disclosure at the national church service for Disabilities Awareness Week held recently at the Grace Baptist Church in May Pen, Clarendon.
  • Minister Robinson indicated that funding will be made available through the World Bank’s Social and Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Project to draft the codes relating to Education and Training, and Employment.

The Full Story

Work is expected to begin in January 2017 on the codes and regulations for the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, made the disclosure at the national church service for Disabilities Awareness Week held recently at the Grace Baptist Church in May Pen, Clarendon.

She said the work should be completed within 10 months, following which the documents will go to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (CPC) for review. Drafting instructions for the regulations are being prepared to send to the CPC.

The codes and regulations follow the passage of the Disabilities Act in 2014 and will set the minimum standards on how the public is to interact with persons with disabilities (PWDs).

They will also guide the participation of PWDs in society and will state the penalties for discrimination.

Preliminary information to assist in the formulation of these codes and regulations was gathered from islandwide stakeholder consultations last year.

Minister Robinson indicated that funding will be made available through the World Bank’s Social and Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Project to draft the codes relating to Education and Training, and Employment.

In the meantime, Minister Robinson said the JCPD has been focused on providing support for PWDs under the $16-million Economic Empowerment and Assistive Aids Grant.

“Since 2016, approximately 770 individuals have received assistance, comprising 383 males and 387 females,” she informed.

Applicants for the grant must be able to operate viable projects that will enable them to gain sustainable employment. Groups of PWDs are also eligible to apply for the grant.

Minister Robinson also said the JCPD is being rebranded with a new logo, new communication tools and a website, which is being designed with assistance from the United States Embassy and is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.

The JCPD seeks to empower those with a disability by promoting independence through training and development.

The Council works closely with other government and non-governmental agencies to ensure improved quality of life and independence for PWDs.

Last Updated: December 15, 2016

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