Jamaica

Key Factors: Government involvement in disability issues has led to considerable improvements in the conditions for people with disabilities. Improved access to special education and training, housing, transportation, and some parts of the built environment has resulted in greater participation and inclusion for persons with disabilities. These advances, however, are concentrated in urban areas. Moreover, the national policy on disability is not enforceable, so there is no obligation to continue implementing change.

Terminology

In the Constitution, the terms "insane" and "of unsound mind" are used to refer to some people with mental disabilities. When directly quoting this document, the original terminology is retained.

Definition of Disability

Various definitions of disability are used in Jamaica depending on the policy or purpose for which disability is being defined. The National Policy for Persons with Disabilities and the Population Census of Jamaica use the same definition. In both these documents a disability is defined as "any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or the range considered normal for a human being. Such restriction or lack of ability must be as a result of an impairment."¹

Another definition is used in the National Survey of Living Conditions. Here, disability is defined as when "an individual whose prospects of securing and retaining suitable employment are substantially reduced by physical and/or mental impairment."² This definition focuses more on a person's ability to work than his or her medical condition.

^1. Statistical Institute of Jamaica, Population Census 2001, Jamaica 1, 2001; Ministry of Labour and Social Security, National Policy on Disability for Persons with Disabilities, 1999.

^2. Statistical Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions, (The Planning Institute of Jamaica), 2001.