Jamaica: Disabilities Act to come in effect today, govt celebrates wearing blue clothes

Kingston, Jamaica: The Disabilities Act is coming into effect today (Monday, February 14, 2022), which has been made under the Jamaican government's "Respect-Ability: Disability Rights Matter" motive. This act will make sure the full protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Jamaica. To mark and commemorate the occasion, the government has asked the general public to wear royal blue clothes. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry - Dione Jennings, asserted that this legislation would promote as well as safeguard the entire and equal enjoyment of individuals with disabilities (PWDs) in terms of privileges and benefits that they can achieve on an equal basis as the other non-disabled individuals get.   Jennings made the remarks during the Special Groups Programme by the Universal Service Fund (USF) at the Portmore Self-Help Disability Organisation in Portmore on Friday. She added, "The Disabilities Act underscores that we as Jamaicans should make sure and accept, as well as reinforce, that individuals with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as any other person in the society. It will assure that their rights are protected, that there is respect for their dignity, and prohibits and prevents discrimination against persons with disabilities".   In the meantime, the State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Alando Terrelonge, has encouraged more PWDs to with Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities to get access to the advantages. He furthermore underscored that there are around 500,000 individuals on the Caribbean island with disabilities, of which less than 40,000 individuals have registered. Individuals who register for JCPD can obtain benefits up to $150,000 for start-up projects. Meanwhile, the individuals who are working together can acquire up to $400,000.  The government officials further noted that the disability act is in keeping with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities.