Jamaica has launched a comprehensive national initiative to rebuild the country as a fully accessible society, marking the International Day for Persons with Disabilities with concrete policy actions and firm governmental commitments.
At a national public forum hosted at The Summit in Kingston, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. declared accessibility a fundamental human right and critical component of national development strategy. “Today, we affirm that accessibility is a right, a national priority, and a core pillar of sustainable development,” Minister Charles stated emphatically. “Creating an accessible Jamaica is not the work of just one ministry; it is the work of a nation.”
The minister emphasized that with approximately 15% of Jamaica’s population living with disabilities, their full inclusion represents both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity. The initiative aligns directly with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 national development plan, positioning accessibility as essential for harnessing the nation’s complete innovative capacity and talent pool.
Dr. Christine Hendricks, Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, moderated the forum and framed the discussion as a national call to action. “Universal Design must guide every decision we make as we reconstruct physical spaces, strengthen digital systems, and modernise public services,” Dr. Hendricks asserted. “Accessibility is not an accommodation—it is a fundamental requirement for national development.”
The ministry unveiled a three-pillar strategy for national accessibility transformation:
Digital Inclusion: Implementing WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards across government platforms, conducting comprehensive digital accessibility audits, and expanding assistive technology training programs for visually and hearing impaired citizens.
Physical Infrastructure Enhancement: Strengthening enforcement of the updated Jamaica Building Code (2023), retrofitting public facilities using standardized accessibility checklists, and modernizing public transportation systems to ensure universal access.
Service Delivery Improvement: Increasing certified Jamaican Sign Language interpreters, promoting plain-language communication protocols, and implementing disability sensitization training for all frontline public-sector employees.
The forum featured a panel of national stakeholders including representatives from the Architects Association of Jamaica, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Jamaica Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, demonstrating cross-sectoral commitment to the accessibility agenda.