THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON A recent Talk Show, the public was encouraged to visit the Green Expo which was being held at the Chinese Benevolent Centre on Old Hope Road. It was stated that visitors to the show would have to park on Jamaica College property and then walk over.
I made arrangements to be picked up from my office (along with another friend), as it would have been difficult for us to cross the road. On our arrival my girlfriend advised the security guard at the gate that she had two persons with disabilities and enquired whether she could drop them off and then go and park. He responded by saying that she could not come in and that we should be left at the gate (it was raining at the time). He turned his back and walked away. Despite her plea he would not allow her to take us in, so we both got out of the car and walked in.
To make matters worse, the place was wet and slippery and we found it difficult to manoeuvre the water to get in the building. We, however, saw a beautifully constructed ramp, but could not gain entrance to the show as the doors were locked. We then turned back and used the step, which were wet and slippery. My friend who later joined us had to be helped by two persons because the crutches kept sliding in the water. All three of us found the situation most discouraging. I need not explain how impossible and dangerous for a person using crutches to walk on wet tiles.
I am wondering whether the organisers thought that 'the public' meant that this should be only for able-bodied persons as it was obvious to us that no plans were put in place for persons with disability (as is often the case).
Over a period of time I have encountered many embarrassing situations in particular with security guards who have no knowledge of how to speak to people, especially to those of us with a disability and who don't look like we are disabled, according to them. We are always being asked questions such as 'Are you disabled? 'Whey pan yu disabled?' 'Yu no look disabled' Yu a park in a disabled parking lot, a hope you know dat' and then walk away.
Recently, I was invited to a book launching at the University of the West Indies. I arrived late (as I was at a meeting) and explained to the guard on duty that the distance where he was sending me to park was too far, could he assist me. He only looked at me and said, 'if yu caan fine no whey fi park, then go back home'. I left, of course, feeling embarrassed and disappointed. But this is what we face continuously.
I often ask myself the following questions: How do you look disabled? How can one, (because you are seated), jump to the conclusion by saying that you are not disabled? Is it that for one to be disabled you must show visible signs - such as a twisted face, a toothless mouth, drooling all over from the mouth, a crippled hand? What kind of training is given to these men and women who are given power to rule and yet are so rude?
The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year for the Disabled. This gave us an opportunity to carry out an extensive public education programme to educate our society about the achievements, the problems, the dreams, and the aspirations of persons with disability. It called for inclusion, not exclusion and any plans being organised must be done with us in mind.
We are asking the powers that be to review the plans that are being made at functions to ensure that persons with disabilities are included and can have total access to these events without feeling embarrassed or left out.
I would like to ask the security firms to carry out training programmes so that all of their employees will learn how to treat us with respect. If you need such training please contact the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disability, 4 Ellesmere Road, Kingston 10. Disability is not something we bring on ourselves and as such we would like to be treated and seen as individuals making our contribution to the society.
A word of thanks to the Management of Sovereign Centre, who ensures that we are taken care of by providing special parking facilities and further ensuring that persons with disability get the full use of it.
I am, etc.,
SARAH NEWLAND-MARTIN
