Building of Ramp at IOJ is National Labour Day Project
By: , May 11, 2024
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), engages with Professor Emerita, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer (second left); and HEART/NSTA Trust Managing Director, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton (left), during Friday’s (May 10) Workers’ Week and Labour Day launch, at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston. Looking on are Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), and Director of the UWI’s Centre for Disability Studies, Senator, Dr. Floyd Morris.
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), warmly greets Professor Emerita, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer, during Friday’s (May 10) Workers’ Week and Labour Day launch, at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston.
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), greets Director of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Centre for Disability Studies, Senator, Dr. Floyd Morris, during Friday’s (May 10) Workers’ Week and Labour Day launch at the Culture Ministry’s New Kingston offices. Sharing the moment is Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.The Full Story
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), located downtown Kingston, has been selected as the 2024 National Labour Day Project.
Activities will focus on the building of a ramp and preparations for the installation of an elevator to enhance access to the institute’s cultural and heritage resources.
Labour Day will be observed on Thursday, May 23 under the theme: ‘Ramp up di access…show that you care’, with an emphasis on persons with disabilities, the elderly and the vulnerable.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, noted that the IOJ is the repository of information on Jamaica’s culture, science, heritage and traditions.
Founded in 1879, the IOJ is one of the oldest organisations in Jamaica and is home of the oldest award in the Western Hemisphere, the Musgrave Medal, which recognises achievement in art, science, and literature.
“Every Jamaican girl, boy, woman, man and the elderly must have access to the information and records stored in the Institute of Jamaica on behalf of and for the people of Jamaica,” Ms. Grange pointed out.
She was addressing Friday’s (May 10) Workers’ Week and Labour Day launch at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston.
Minister Grange encouraged Jamaicans to plan and execute projects on Labour Day that embody the theme.
“As long as there are stairs, there must be a ramp. Persons with disabilities, the elderly and the vulnerable must have equal and reliable access to schools, churches, hospitals, clinics, restaurants and every service provider,” she said.
IOJ Executive Director, Leslie Harrow, in noting the work to be undertaken, said that the ramp will increase access to spaces on the IOJ complex including the Natural History Museum.
He said that the “big-ticket item” is the installation of a lift that will lead to the Natural History Museum, lecture hall and gallery space.
Mr. Harrow informed that ramps will be placed in other museums during phase two of the project.
“I want to assure you that …we are doing everything possible at all our locations to make them accessible to every single individual,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Grange advised that Labour Day activities will conclude with a free gospel festival at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.
The event will feature Kevin Downswell, Johnmark Wiggan, Rhoda Isabella, Goddy Goddy, Kimiela “Candy” Isaacs and other performers.