Final Words - Personal/Organization Report 2009 - Jamaica
- Leadership Development Course
Persons with disabilities are stigmatized and discriminated against by some members of society. This has reduced over the years to some extent but there is much more to accomplish. The truth is, people's attitude cannot be legislated however, with greater public awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities, this attitude should change over time.
Society's attitude therefore is largely sustained by the inhibition of parents/ guardians who first of all do not understand the rights of their children with disabilities.
The way has been paved however by the early self advocates of the Combined Disability Association and with the acceptance of the National Policy in Parliament in September 2000. Persons with disabilities and issues that affect them have become the focus of much research and volunteerism from students of tertiary institution and so the awareness is gathering momentum.
Jamaica was the first country to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has a National Development Plan or VISION 2030 which outlines Jamaica's path to becoming a developed nation by the year 2030, has a component entitled ‘Persons with Disabilities Sub- Sector Plan. There is no turning back for persons with disabilities to become incorporated in the citizenry of Jamaica, however, persons with disabilities must be empowered to find their place in society and show their value and true potential as human beings of worth.
