Disabilities Awareness Week December 2-7

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) will join the rest of the world in observing Disabilities Awareness Week from December 2-7, under the theme: ‘Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality’.

The week gets underway tomorrow (December 2) with the National Church service to be held at the Sharon Baptist Church, Main Street, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, starting at 9:00 a.m.

On December 3, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities will be observed, and the JCPD in partnership with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Digicel Foundation will present the findings of the Situational Analysis of Children with Disabilities in Jamaica for 2017 at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel at 9:00 a.m.

In addition, the ‘I am Able’ media campaign will also be launched.

Speaking with JIS News, Executive Director of the JCPD, Dr Christine Hendricks said the partnership with UNICEF and the Digicel Foundation aims to create awareness and empower the community of persons with disabilities.

Also on December 3, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Centre for Disability Studies, in association with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will deliver a special lecture, focussing on the theme ‘The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability: Driving the Disability Agenda in the Caribbean’.

This will be held at the UWI Mona Lions Centre for Students with Special Services, starting at 6:00 p.m.

On Thursday, December 6, an evening of excellence and awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Emancipation Park, Oxford Road, Kingston at 4:00 p.m.  During this event the JCPD will recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Disability Sector to nation building.

Meanwhile, Dr Hendricks noted that the JCPD endeavours to provide the necessary support to move the disability agenda forward, and is determined to work towards achieving the goal of equal opportunity for persons with disabilities.

“The JCPD has inclusive growth and social fairness at the core of our operations and commitment. We have developed the skills of the community of persons with disabilities, which enables the members’ social and economic independence,” she said.