Disabled Jamaican are you a citizen of Jamaicaor not?
By Maia Chung
For me its pretty "neat" to see when a politician shows care love andempathy for those he or she has been charged to care for by his or herelectorate.
It's even better when these politicians are consistent and exercise their duty in away that positively and properly impacts the lives of his or her constituents,in accordance with the duties they have accepted, as well as in my opinionwhich the taxpayer's dollars dictate.
In a national newspaper published on July 4-2010 - Claude Clarke former trademinister and manufacturer wrote in reference to his brother's death at thehands of the police in May 2010 - "Keith's (Clarke) Member of ParliamentAndrew Gallimore to his everlasting credit, seemed to have shunned political cravennessand publicly expressed his outrage at the vicious assault carried out by theState on one of his constituents...".
To this I say great show Minister, I and those I represent also commend you!
I am hoping for a similar show of "outrage" (any day now) at theconditions the disabled now endure in Jamaica.
Those I represent could very well settle for further and more investment into thesector, in any area the visually impaired, the intellectually affected anywhere...morethan pertains now. Particularly as the recession has had the effect of havingthe network of local NGO support agencies for the disabled - reeling from thewithdrawn donor funding by nations which say due to the recession their inputinto charity will for the time being remain domestic.
Having been involved in the disabilities world of Jamaicafor some years now, through the Autism and Disabilities Foundation I operate -I have found two things that have offended me and that I want to ask members ofthe disabilities community of Jamaicato face and think about.
The first is the seeming perception by the Challenged community here in Jamaicathat I have had the chance to work with, and folks I speak empirically; thatthe provisions and facilities constructed and granted them here, are favors forwhich undying gratitude are in order.
The second thing is the seeming success of those of the State charged with takingcare of the disabled- in convincing the challenged that when they do serviceour needs, even in the most minimal fashion they have done us a great kindnessbestowed upon the lowly undeserving appendages that we are.
In fact State, neuro-typicals and the challenges seem to my assessment - that theyare not aware that it has been legislated by this nation, that the human rightsof the disabled - are not any less than any other citizen, say for instancethose who smoke, who represent Jamaica in the winter Olympics luge in otherwords ANY OTHER CITIZEN of this land.
In fact The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation is asking that disabledJamaicans and those who are not, become aware that provisions for thechallenged are fundamental human rights for which the affected must call outfor as energetically as is possible, with the assurance that their inalienablehuman rights as well as their citizenship status of Jamaica speak to fair andrespectful and urgent treatment by the State.
Folks there is a Bill that exists entitled "An Act to Promote Recognition of theRights of and Respect for Persons Experiencing Disabilities...with the shorttitle being ..."the Jamaica Council for Persons Experiencing a DisabilityAct 2007", and it states " the principal objects of this Act are to(a) promote recognition and acceptance within Jamaica of the principle that aperson experiencing a disability has the same fundamental rights as the rest ofthe community".
(b) Promote individual dignity and individual autonomy, including the freedom ofchoice and independence of persons".
(c) Ensure full and effective participation and inclusion in society for a personexperiencing disability on an equal basis with others...”
This Bill goes on where I cannot, but the point is, today...this year ...is the timefor Jamaica'sdisabled to understand you are not being granted a favor by being included inyour nation's business.
Once you are human no matter your condition there are these things called humanrights that apply across the board, you could a have one foot, one eye etc.
The construction of one centre every decade that speaks to "art and crafttraining in rural Jamaicafor the challenged" - is not an event that should be heralded and receivedwith our bowing and scraping.
In an informal research conducted by the Foundation
I head -with the former Jamaica Association for Mental Retardation now theJamaica Association for the Intellectually Disabled - indicates that theJapanese society have through the enactment and passage of laws incorporate as a matter of course thedisabled into their overall societal development and progress.
For "Autism Sake!" their stoplights are disabilities configured, as inthey are iconned to indicate for the disabled driver and pedestrian!
How can it not be an obvious that all citizens need provisions?
We need as the Challenged to move into, "we are citizens with equal rightsmode".
We must be much better provided for than currently, as our numbers increaseminutely (so says the World Health Organization WHO)".
Last October the WHO confirmed that every 20 minutes someone is diagnosed with Autism.
In 2009 the American Journal of Pediatrics revealed a study in Pennsylvaniain the United Stateshad shown that between 2007 to 2009 the study group tested for Autism SpectrumDisorders (ASD) showed a one in 91 outcome in 2007 - the group study had yieldeda one in 150 result. The numbers are growing alarmingly.
In Japanthere exists an "Autism city" - that caters to the social,employment, production and other needs of this community of Japanese personsaffected by Autism.
This city I have come to find, is overseen by the parents of these individuals inthe main and is a site for not just the active and valid representation of theAutistic in the general life of Japan,but is also a part of Japanese society that carries its own weight.
Apparently people there seem to get that this is a necessary, that of all citizenscarrying their own weight.
Japan's leadership, call me crazy... seem to have "shunned political cravenness" ...focused ontheir required functions and prepared a place for all Japan's citizenry and accorded themtheir inalienable human rights.
The Bill I reference in this piece can be purchased at the offices of The JamaicaEmployers Federation (JEF) located along Ruthven road for eight hundreddollars.
Challenged citizenry arm yourself with knowledge and start demanding and claiming yourrights with confidence, determination and the surety that you are backed by thelaws of the land.
In the words of the late great Michael Jackson - "don't stop till you getenough".
Disabled Jamaican are you a citizen of Jamaicaor not?
Maia Chung is the News Manager of Newstalk 93 FM and the Managing Director of TheMaia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation. Comments can be emailed tomaiachung@yahoo.com.
