Policies and Programmes Being Advanced to Empower Persons with Disabilities

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says significant progress has been made in advancing policies and programmes to provide for improvements in access to quality education for children with disabilities.

He said such progress includes the establishment of Special Education Units within mainstream schools and the provision of support services and accommodations.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on December 5, the Minister further stated that the Government has taken steps to prohibit discrimination in employment based on disability and the promotion of inclusive hiring practices among employers.

“We have taken tangible steps to promote the employment and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities, through the provision of vocational training and job-placement services through initiatives of the HEART/NSTA Trust,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

He also noted that work is significantly advanced towards having the national registry of persons with disabilities (PWDs) fully functional and to complete the implementation of a modern, efficient, and robust Management Information System (MIS) by the end of the current financial year.

“Despite these achievements, there is much room for improvement if we are to ensure all spaces are accessible. So, we make a call to Jamaicans, let us improve accessibility in our offices, churches, schools, homes, our communities, and our businesses,” Mr. Charles Jr said.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) on Monday (December 4), launched the Accessibility Checklist.

The Minister said this invaluable tool, adapted from the United States of America’s Access Board, is the result of a collaborative partnership between the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Bureau of Standards, Jamaica.

“This checklist was meticulously crafted to serve as a user-friendly reference for pinpointing architectural, and structural obstacles in areas frequented by individuals with disabilities, and it provides a valuable instrument for identifying and addressing these barriers,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

He emphasised that the Accessibility Checklist is not intended to replace compliance with the National Building Codes.

“Instead, it serves as a companion tool, designed to heighten awareness among those entrusted with the planning and development of buildings and facilities, including engineers, contractors, and building developers, to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities across Jamaica are taken into full account in the design of our buildings,” the Minister said.

“Our public buildings must now include essential features such as ramps, rails, elevators, and other necessary accommodations to facilitate full access to all persons. I want to assure of our commitment to the continued, unwavering pursuit of legislative and policy priorities concerning the community of persons with disabilities and in particular our commitment to accessibility, which we have made a strategic priority for the current and upcoming financial years,” he added.

Mr. Charles Jr. said the Government will continue to take active steps towards the improvement and expansion of social and economic services to persons with disabilities, to facilitate their increased independence and participation in society, increasing equity for all.

“We will continue to tirelessly pursue the establishment of standards to reduce discrimination in access to education and training, employment, transportation, and healthcare for PWDs,” the Minister said.

“We will actively seek to enforce disability rights and enable progressive realisation of disability inclusion, in compliance with international and national requirements, ensuring that the JCPD is, itself, the standard bearer in adhering to its policies and regulations,” he added.

Mr. Charles Jr. further stated that the Ministry remains committed to promoting awareness and understanding within communities, schools, and workplaces for PWDs.

“We will continue to foster these relationships with our local and international development partners and create additional partnerships as we work to prohibit discrimination and protect and promote equal rights for PWDs,” he said.