Denise Daley | Let us commit to building a Jamaica where inclusion is the rule not the exception

As we observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are reminded that building an inclusive Jamaica begins with acknowledging the everyday barriers many citizens face.

This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”, challenges us to examine how our systems operate and who they truly serve.

Hurricane Melissa gave us a sobering lesson. It showed us that accessibility and inclusion are not optional. They are essential. As we continue to respond to the needs of those affected, we are reminded that some people will be able to come to us, but others we must find. Many were displaced, some are still staying in shelters or in spaces that are not their own, and they deserve systems that reach them with dignity and care.

Across the country, persons with disabilities continue to navigate public spaces, institutions and services that were never designed with them in mind. Simple tasks like boarding a bus, accessing a government office, enrolling in school or securing employment can become difficult or even impossible because accessibility is still treated as optional rather than essential. These barriers are not personal shortcomings. They are policy failures.

We must also ensure that, as new systems are rolled out, including digital or card-based benefit programmes, no one is excluded because they are not technologically savvy or do not have access to digital tools. Provision must be made to reach every vulnerable person, including those with disabilities and those living in the areas hardest hit by recent events. Support must meet people where they are.

Real inclusion requires us to design infrastructure, services and legislation that recognise the full range of human experiences. It means building transportation networks, schools, workplaces, digital platforms and emergency systems that are accessible to all.

Progress also requires a shift in culture. Stigma and misunderstanding continue to limit opportunities for persons with disabilities just as much as physical barriers do. Jamaica must embrace a rights-based approach, one that sees persons with disabilities as full citizens with talents, ambitions and contributions that enrich national development.

As Opposition Spokesperson on Gender, Persons with Disabilities and Inclusion, I remain committed to advocating for stronger enforcement of accessibility standards, expanded community-based support, improved early identification for children and sustained investment in inclusive education and employment pathways. Inclusion must be embedded at every level of planning, from local authorities to national policy.

Today is also an opportunity to express gratitude. We thank all those who have stepped forward to assist the most vulnerable, including individuals displaced by Hurricane Melissa who are being cared for in places that are not their own. Your compassion strengthens our national spirit.

A disability-inclusive Jamaica is not an aspiration reserved for observances. It is the foundation of true social progress. When every Jamaican can participate fully and independently, our nation becomes stronger, fairer and more resilient.

Let us commit to building a Jamaica where inclusion is the rule, not the exception.