Disability is Not An Obstacle to Success
"Disability is not an obstacle to success”. –Stephen
Hawking
According to a World Bank Report one billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience
some form of disability. The report also added that disability prevalence is higher for developing
countries. In Jamaica approximately 200,000 Jamaicans live with a disability as stated by the same
source. Persons with disabilities, on average as a group, are more likely to experience adverse
socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, poorer health
outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates. I met a most remarkable young lady last Saturday She was visually impaired but was in high spirits and bubbling with energy and positive vibes. Tamika was born sighted but unfortunately lost sight in both eyes at age 22. In spite of her disability, she is a positive, industrious mother of 5 and was all too willing to share a bit of her story some of which was rather personal and almost moved me to tears. Until you have interacted with a blind person you really do not know what it is to be discriminated against, laughed at and ignored. During our conversation Tamika spoke intensely about the lack of awareness in the wider Jamaican society regarding the plight and concerns of members of the disabled community, especially those who are blind. She recalled painfully of being let off at the wrong bus stop on numerous occasions by Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus drivers even after telling the drivers where she would like to disembark upon entering the bus. She added that in most instances those incidents took place at nights in areas which are lonely and unsafe. She was left alone only with the mercy of God to navigate her way back to where she wanted to go. As a result of those negative and traumatic experiences Tamika is now fearful of taking the Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) and one can clearly understand why.
Tamika is encouraging the government to embark on a public education campaign to highlight the issues which the disabled community encounters almost on a daily basis. Tamika’s voice became almost inaudible when she told of instances in which blind persons have had their canes kicked away and stepped on by able- bodied members of the society. She spoke of the struggles of the blind in the society specifically in rural areas where they oftentimes remain at home out of fear of being ridiculed, wasting away as their talents go unused. It bears thought that as a society we cannot achieve sustainable development if we continue to exclude a sizeable section of the society.
Sustainable Development Goals
In fact the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) addresses all three dimensions of sustainable development which are (environmental, economic and social). Disability is referenced in various sections of the SDG’s and specifically to parts related to education, growth, employment, inequality and accessibility of human settlements. For example, goal 4, speaks to inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all focuses on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. Goal 8 of the SDG’s speaks to the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, the international community aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. Additionally, goal 10 of the SDG’s addresses inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims at making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable. To realize this goal, member states are called upon to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities and finally Goal 17 speaks to reliable data that is also disaggregated by disability. Tamika was quite fortunate to have left rural Jamaica and came to Kingston to live where she completed HEART/ Level 3 training in her chosen field. She was extremely passionate in sharing what she considered insensitive and uncaring remarks hurdled at her when she became pregnant by a number of persons who questioned who would want to impregnate a blind person. She was quite unwavering in her comments that members of the disabled community have feelings and emotions and are capable of loving and being loved. As a society we must be mindful that the disabled community also has the right to reproductive rights and health care and that this human rights should be respected by all. Tamika reiterated that the State needs to do more to highlight the troubling issues the disabled community endures as well as to work towards making this vulnerable group feel a part of the wider society.
EMPOWERMENT OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY
Tamika made a special appeal that more of our country’s sidewalks should be paved in order to facilitate the blind members of society the freedom to navigate in and around the city without fear of injuring themselves. She was adamant that more skills training are needed for members of the disabled community in order to empower them in areas in which they can earn an income and building their self-esteem. She also suggested that more grants should be made available to members with a disability in order to make them more independent this she said would inevitable foster a culture of entrepreneurship within the disabled community since it is difficult for members to source employment. She mentioned that although she has lost sight in both eyes, her vision was still intact. This vision Tamika refers to is one in which her children will grow up to be the contributing members of the society as well as a vision to expand her small business and become financially independent. As a society we all have a responsibility to work towards dismantling the stigma which oftentimes is associated with a disability. As we go about our business during this Christmas season let us remember those members who are most vulnerable and give a helping hand wherever it is possible. We need to look beyond one’s disability and instead focus on the abilities and talents of our brothers and sisters and work towards a more inclusive society. In the words of Scott Hamilton, the only disability in life is a bad attitude.
@WayneCamo
According to a World Bank Report one billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience
some form of disability. The report also added that disability prevalence is higher for developing
countries. In Jamaica approximately 200,000 Jamaicans live with a disability as stated by the same
source. Persons with disabilities, on average as a group, are more likely to experience adverse
socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, poorer health
outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates. I met a most remarkable young lady last Saturday She was visually impaired but was in high spirits and bubbling with energy and positive vibes. Tamika was born sighted but unfortunately lost sight in both eyes at age 22. In spite of her disability, she is a positive, industrious mother of 5 and was all too willing to share a bit of her story some of which was rather personal and almost moved me to tears. Until you have interacted with a blind person you really do not know what it is to be discriminated against, laughed at and ignored. During our conversation Tamika spoke intensely about the lack of awareness in the wider Jamaican society regarding the plight and concerns of members of the disabled community, especially those who are blind. She recalled painfully of being let off at the wrong bus stop on numerous occasions by Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus drivers even after telling the drivers where she would like to disembark upon entering the bus. She added that in most instances those incidents took place at nights in areas which are lonely and unsafe. She was left alone only with the mercy of God to navigate her way back to where she wanted to go. As a result of those negative and traumatic experiences Tamika is now fearful of taking the Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) and one can clearly understand why.
Tamika is encouraging the government to embark on a public education campaign to highlight the issues which the disabled community encounters almost on a daily basis. Tamika’s voice became almost inaudible when she told of instances in which blind persons have had their canes kicked away and stepped on by able- bodied members of the society. She spoke of the struggles of the blind in the society specifically in rural areas where they oftentimes remain at home out of fear of being ridiculed, wasting away as their talents go unused. It bears thought that as a society we cannot achieve sustainable development if we continue to exclude a sizeable section of the society.
Sustainable Development Goals
In fact the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) addresses all three dimensions of sustainable development which are (environmental, economic and social). Disability is referenced in various sections of the SDG’s and specifically to parts related to education, growth, employment, inequality and accessibility of human settlements. For example, goal 4, speaks to inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all focuses on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. Goal 8 of the SDG’s speaks to the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, the international community aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. Additionally, goal 10 of the SDG’s addresses inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims at making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable. To realize this goal, member states are called upon to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities and finally Goal 17 speaks to reliable data that is also disaggregated by disability. Tamika was quite fortunate to have left rural Jamaica and came to Kingston to live where she completed HEART/ Level 3 training in her chosen field. She was extremely passionate in sharing what she considered insensitive and uncaring remarks hurdled at her when she became pregnant by a number of persons who questioned who would want to impregnate a blind person. She was quite unwavering in her comments that members of the disabled community have feelings and emotions and are capable of loving and being loved. As a society we must be mindful that the disabled community also has the right to reproductive rights and health care and that this human rights should be respected by all. Tamika reiterated that the State needs to do more to highlight the troubling issues the disabled community endures as well as to work towards making this vulnerable group feel a part of the wider society.
EMPOWERMENT OF THE DISABLED COMMUNITY
Tamika made a special appeal that more of our country’s sidewalks should be paved in order to facilitate the blind members of society the freedom to navigate in and around the city without fear of injuring themselves. She was adamant that more skills training are needed for members of the disabled community in order to empower them in areas in which they can earn an income and building their self-esteem. She also suggested that more grants should be made available to members with a disability in order to make them more independent this she said would inevitable foster a culture of entrepreneurship within the disabled community since it is difficult for members to source employment. She mentioned that although she has lost sight in both eyes, her vision was still intact. This vision Tamika refers to is one in which her children will grow up to be the contributing members of the society as well as a vision to expand her small business and become financially independent. As a society we all have a responsibility to work towards dismantling the stigma which oftentimes is associated with a disability. As we go about our business during this Christmas season let us remember those members who are most vulnerable and give a helping hand wherever it is possible. We need to look beyond one’s disability and instead focus on the abilities and talents of our brothers and sisters and work towards a more inclusive society. In the words of Scott Hamilton, the only disability in life is a bad attitude.
Wayne
Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com@WayneCamo
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