The Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN) has launched a phased Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) training programme aimed at eliminating communication barriers within the nation’s public library system and promoting greater inclusion for members of the Deaf community. The initiative, titled ‘Bridging the Gap: One Sign at a Time’, was officially launched on Monday (March 2), at the University of...

A total of $334 million is being distributed to 1,217 households in Hanover under the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative, as part of ongoing recovery efforts, following Hurricane Melissa. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the announcement during the Hanover leg of the ROOFS handover ceremony, held at the Hanover...

The Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) will be celebrating 70 years of advocacy for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families in 2026. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday (February 25), Executive Director of JAID, Marilyn McKoy, said the association’s journey reflects decades of resilience, pioneering work, and a steadfast commitment to inclusion. Mrs. McKoy further noted...

Jamaica has made notable strides in advancing disability inclusion, steadily building a stronger culture of belonging for vulnerable group of persons. Over the past four years, the country has implemented key aspects of the Disabilities Act, alongside public education and sensitisation initiatives, to promote equal access, opportunities, and rights for persons with disabilities. Addressing a recent Think Tank, Executive Director...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has issued a call to the private sector and corporations operating in Jamaica to ensure that their supply chains are free from child labour. He also urged the adoption of transparent, responsible business practices consistent with international labour standards. The Minister was responding to the outcomes of the Sixth Global...

A delegation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security represented Jamaica at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, held from February 11 to 13 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address the urgent challenge of child labour, which continues to affect an estimated 138 million children worldwide. Jamaica’s...

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a relief initiative aimed at addressing the immediate socio-economic needs of children and families living with disabilities, particularly those most vulnerable. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on February 11, Executive Director of the JCPD, Dr. Christine Hendricks, noted that the...