Clarendon Focuses on the Disabled This Week

Disability Awareness Week is being celebrated in Clarendon from November 28 to December 3 under the theme: ‘Nothing about us, without us’.

Michelle O’Connor, Co-ordinator of the Clarendon Group for the Disabled, told JIS News that several activities have been planned to commemorate the week, which began with a church service on November 28 at the Kellits New Testament Church.

“We really want to highlight the fact that persons living with disabilities are very valuable and in many instances have something to offer to society. We also want to increase the awareness of Jamaicans about some of the injustices that they face, because we find that persons can sometimes treat them cruelly, whether verbally or physically. So we are hoping to foster a more caring, considerate society towards these persons and, where we as Jamaicans can offer assistance to them, we should make every effort to do so,” she said.

Miss O’Connor noted that on Wednesday, December 1, a Public Education Forum would be held at the St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church Hall, May Pen, and on Friday, December 3, a Lunch Hour concert would be held at the Independence Park in May Pen.

She pointed out that there would also be a display at the Clarendon Parish Library during the week, adding that members of the public are invited to participate in all these activities.