Born Out Of Love, Intellectual Disabilities Association Reaching Thousand

Born out of the love of a father for his child, the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) has evolved from a small initiative into a critical organisation that has empowered thousands through advocacy and education and training.

Its journey began in 1955 when devoted father and founder Randolph Lopez, driven by the need to assist his daughter with Down’s syndrome, joined with friends to establish the Jamaican Association for Mentally Handicapped Children (JAMHC).

Its mission was to provide support to improve the quality of life of children with intellectual disabilities and ensure their full integration into society.

In its early years, the association relied heavily on fundraising activities to sustain its mission, laying the foundation for what would become a national movement of care and advocacy.

Within a year, the association opened its first school, operating three days a week as a centre-based programme.

On the remaining days, a dedicated teacher along with an assistant embarked on child-find missions across Kingston, St. Catherine, and Port Royal. This pioneering effort led to the establishment of the Lopez School and Home at 6 Norman Road. By 1970, the school received its first government subvention, marking a turning point in its growth.

Soon after, the institution was relocated to 7 Golding Avenue, St. Andrew, and aptly named the Randolph Lopez School of Hope, symbolising the promise of inclusion for children who had long been excluded from the regular school system.

In 1974, the Government of Jamaica formalised its partnership with the association, providing an annual subvention to support operations.

This collaboration spurred the rapid expansion of unit classes and branch schools across the island. By 1980, the network had grown to 29 affiliated units in 11 parishes.

The school system was restructured in 2003, resulting in five autonomous schools with a network of units and satellites at 28 locations in 13 parishes.

These schools are jointly operated by JAID and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) and serve children and young people between the ages of six and 21.

They are the Randolph Lopez School of Hope, St. Andrew, with 14 satellites across Kingston, St. Thomas, and Portland; Woodlawn School of Special Education, Manchester with one satellite in St. Elizabeth; Edgehill School of Special Education, St. Ann, with three satellites in St. Ann and St. Mary; Llandilo School of Special Education, Westmoreland, two satellites in Hanover and St. James; Windsor School of Special Education, St. Catherine, with three satellites in St. Catherine and Clarendon.

Over time, the association evolved to meet the needs of both children and adults. In the 1980s, services expanded to include adults, prompting a series of name changes from the Jamaica Association for Persons with Mental Retardation (JAPMR) to the Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation (JAMR), and finally, in March 2010, to JAID, aligning with global trends in terminology.

The 1990s saw the formation of Parents and Professionals in Partnership (PProP), an umbrella programme designed to strengthen advocacy by uniting families and professionals. This initiative advanced the founders’ dream of a society where persons with intellectual disabilities are supported and empowered.

Speaking with JIS News, Executive Director of JAID, Marilyn McKoy, stated that after seven decades, the association still stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for thousands of children, adults, and families across Jamaica.

“Our work is about empowerment and integration. It is about transforming lives, strengthening families, and building communities where dignity and inclusion are not optional but essential,” she said.

Mrs. McKoy underscored the critical role of strong support systems in the development and empowerment of this community to meet the needs of children with intellectual disabilities.

She sees families as the first institution to nurture self-esteem and belonging, laying the foundation for integration into communities across Jamaica. “Families have to recognise that this child with intellectual disability is going to need to feel valued, to have that sense of belonging, and to have a lifelong support system in place,” she pointed out.

JAID continues to work closely with the MoESYI, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), and other non-governmental organisations to develop programmes and provide effective support for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.

JAID’s suite of services for adults include the Adult Continuing Education Programme, supported by HEART/NSTA Trust since 2005, providing training tailored to individual capability.

Employment support is facilitated through the JAID Work Centres, where fashion accessories are crafted under the brand ‘Chupse’, strengthened by collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Adults are also placed in integrated employment settings with coaching support, while apprenticeship and recreational programmes foster skills, engagement, and community integration.

Mrs. McKoy said that the leadership, advocacy, and empowerment remain central to JAID’s mission, with training and mentorship to help participants build confidence and speak up for themselves.

She noted that the local and international partnerships developed over the years have strengthened its capacity to deliver services and foster community connections.

In addition to the MLSS, MoESYI, and HEART NSTA Trust, the association also collaborates with the Council for Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), Special Olympics Jamaica, Tara Courier Services, Digicel Foundation, the University of Technology (UTech) Student Union, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Internationally, JAID collaborates with the American Association on Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD,) and Inclusion International (II). “These partnerships, combined with JAID’s programmes, reflect a strong commitment to advancing inclusion, empowerment, and dignity for persons with intellectual disabilities, ensuring they are supported to achieve their fullest potential,” Mrs. McKoy stated.

Long-standing volunteer and former president and treasurer of JAID’s Council of Management, Sonia Jackson, appealed to Jamaicans to volunteer with the association.

She noted that volunteerism strengthens JAID’s work by expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and nurturing a culture of empathy and inclusion.

Meanwhile, as JAID celebrates 70 years of service, the association is inviting Jamaicans to join in its anniversary activities.

“This milestone is more than a celebration; it is an opportunity to deepen awareness of the work JAID continues to do, the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities, and the role each citizen can play in ensuring their full inclusion in society,” Mrs. McKoy said.

The year-long commemoration will feature a series of events highlighting advocacy, service, and empowerment. Jamaicans are encouraged to follow JAID on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected with updates throughout the anniversary year.