Noticeable shift in awareness of capabilities of persons with disabilities

The passing of the Disabilities Act three years ago has resulted in a noticeable shift in societal awareness regarding the capabilities of persons with disabilities and the challenges they face.                     

The Disabilities Act mandates non-discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and public facilities. Its purpose is to foster an environment where individuals with disabilities have equal access to opportunities and are treated with the same dignity and respect as all other citizens.                                                                               

Jamaica’s commitment is aligned to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), for which the country was the first signatory in 2007. Approximately 200,000 Jamaicans are living with some form of disability.          

Executive Director of the Combined Disabilities Association (CDA), Gloria Goffe, said that with the passing of the Act, she has observed significant strides in the recognition of challenges, which in turn has influenced attitudes and policies in both the private and public sectors.                           “Society’s growing awareness of the Disabilities Act has resulted in more individuals and organisations understanding their responsibilities towards people with disabilities. Being more aware has begun to yield results, particularly in the private sector, where a noticeable, albeit modest, increase in employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities has been observed,” Goffe said.

She pointed out that businesses are actively seeking to comply with the Disabilities Act by making necessary changes to their physical infrastructure. As a result, many companies are now requesting the Disability and Accessibility Checklist to ensure compliance.

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) has been playing a crucial role in advising the government and the disability sector, advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, maintaining a confidential register, raising public awareness, conducting research, monitoring implementation and providing legal assistance to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld.                                     

Employment opportunities are also on the rise. According to Goffe, “One of the more exciting developments in employment is the expansion of the HEART/NSTA Trust employment programme. Previously limited to the Kingston Metropolitan area, the programme is set to be extended to other parishes, opening up new pathways for employment.”              

Companies such as Digicel and CB Chicken have been commended for taking steps toward diversifying their workforce by hiring individuals with disabilities. The establishment of the Disability Rights Tribunal marks a major step towards addressing discrimination. With a panel of adjudicators named, the tribunal is poised to handle reports of alleged discrimination, signalling a commitment to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities under the law.