Passage of Disability Act a significant achievement for Jamaica
In October 2014, the Senate passed the Disabilities Act, which seeks to ensure the full and effective participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Jamaican society.
The main objectives of the Bill are reinforcing and promoting the recognition and acceptance, within Jamaica, of the principle that a person with a disability has the same fundamental rights as any other person; and promoting individual dignity and autonomy, including the freedom of choice and independence of a person with a disability.
Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Christine Hendricks, hailed the passage of the Disabilities Act 2014 as the most significant achievement in the Council’s 40-year history. Senate President Hon. Floyd Morris echoed this sentiment by calling the legislation’s passage as “historic.” Government Senator Sophia Frazer Binns called the Bill’s provisions “commendable” and noted that they represent a step in the right direction. “They signal a non-discriminatory inclusiveness for the disabled while showing a key understanding of the differences being experienced,” she said.
The JCPD will be empowered to make sure that the Act works for disabled persons, approximately 400,000 of whom reside in Jamaica. In particular, Ms. Hendricks stressed the importance of ensuring that children with disabilities are provided with appropriate assistive devices and learning tools early on.
