JSB Benefits From Improved Accessibility and Beautification Project on Labour Day

Scores of volunteers turned out at the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) on Labour Day (May 23) to beautify and improve accessibility to the facility, located at 111 ½ Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. 

The scope of works included redesigning an existing ramp to enhance accessibility to the entity’s vision centre by persons with disabilities; rehabilitation of several sections of sidewalks leading to the JSB; painting of walls; planting of ornamentals; laying of gravel for beautification and the cleaning and weeding of the outskirts of the premises. 

The work was spearheaded by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) in tandem with EdgeChem, and was one of the KSAMC’s major Labour Day projects. 

Persons with disabilities, the elderly and the vulnerable were the focus of Labour Day 2024, observed under the theme ‘Ramp Up Di Access… Show That You Care’. 

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, told JIS News that the work undertaken is critical in ensuring that persons using the JSB’s facilities will be able to do so with greater ease. 

He said the modifications will provide greater access and lauded the private-sector companies collaborating with the KSAMC on the project. 

“It’s an extension ramp. But it was too steep and… Ripton Construction and EdgeChem… chipped in and assisted us,” the Mayor informed. 

Councillor Swaby said the KSAMC will continue to play its part in ensuring that vulnerable members of the society are able to access critical services. 

“We shouldn’t only show that we care only when there is a focus; we should show that we care [all the time]. So that’s why one of the conditions for building approvals is access [for] the most vulnerable to these buildings, and we [look to] ensure that [this is] enforced,” he underscored. 

Councillor Swaby noted that Labour Day provides the opportunity for persons to give back to their communities by participating in various projects, and urges more persons to volunteer to assist with engagements undertaken.  

Executive Director, Jamaica Society for the Blind, Conrad Harris, expressed gratitude to the KSAMC and allied partners for the undertaking at the entity. 

“Persons can travel to and from here more easily without having the danger of injuring themselves. For the persons who use our vision centre, a lot of [those] we work with are older persons; so it is really difficult for them to climb the ramp. There is no way somebody in a wheelchair [could] wheel themself up… the ramp… that existed. So [the modification] will make it a little less stressful for persons to use [it],” he said. 

Mr. Harris pointed out that the Society is pleased with the support and turnout for the project on Thursday, adding “we just want to say thanks”.  

He said a significant amount of the work at the Centre is done through volunteerism, and thanked the various stakeholders for their assistance over the years. 

“I’m proud to say the volunteers who work with us range from very young to very old. We have benefited from a range of volunteers and we recognise that [they are] really important,” he added. 

Marketing and Export Manager, EdgeChem Limited, Omar Azan, said his company has donated hundreds of gallons of paint for Labour Day projects across the island, adding “we are happy to continue our mantra of ‘changing lives one gallon at a time’.” 

Persons can contact the Jamaica Society for the Blind by calling 876-927-6757 or 876-927-6759, or via email at jsb@cwjamaica.com