The Importance of Accessibility
There is a need for recognition not just in Jamaica but in general of the current situation regarding the mobility of students with disabilities; what is called accessibility. Accessibility refers to services and specially designated environments, which enable the access of people with disabilities. Assistive technology is required for the accessibility to places and services, which required further research and development in the area. Such assistive technology can be considered the Braille writing system for the blind and the visually impaired and Ramps & Rails for Wheelchair Access among others.
The problem of accessibility concerns especially children with disabilities in the form that even though every child has a right to knowledge and education and every child needs to learn it is not always possible when the majority of school do not have the basic infrastructure for enabling such disabilities. Authors Susan B. Rifkin and Pat Pridmore (2001) argue that "education is a powerful tool for the economic empowerment of people with disabilities because people who lack education/information often lack power and lack choices about how to improve
their lives." Therefore, lack of education can have devastating effects for young children with disabilities, making the importance of accessibility and research for assistive technology evident. It is important to acknowledge though that providing equal opportunities for equal social civic and economic participation can be beneficial for both youth with disabilities and the general population. The government not just in Jamaica but in other communities as well should enforce policy of existence of at least one school (both primary and secondary education) with accessibility in every province.
To go a bit more specific, according to leaders of disability organisations, the estimation is that around ten percent of all public buildings are at least partially accessible to people with mobility disabilities. Some buildings that have entrance ramps lack interior design features to allow accessibility beyond the ground floor. Although the main post office is accessible to persons who use wheelchairs, there are not curb cuts to gain entry to the sidewalk. In Kingston many post offices are fully accessible, but in other parts of the island is limited. At this time, there are no courses in universal design available to architects in Jamaica. Achieving full accessibility is essential to reach the objectives of equal participation and social inclusion. In particular, accessibility should be a characteristic of all those products and services that aim to the public but especially in younger ages so as to not restrict these people in such an important for their development stage.
Rifkin, Susan B, and Pat Pridmore. 2001. Partners In Planning. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.
Vision 2030 Jamaica - National development plan: http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/National-Development-Plan
