The Disabilities Act

An Act to promote and ensure full and equal enjoyment by persons with disabilities, of privileges, interests, benefits and treatment, on equal basis as others and to establish the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities.
Date

Provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities across Jamaica. It also aims to protect and promote equal rights for the disabled and prohibits discrimination against them, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), of which Jamaica is a signatory.
The Right to Education and Training.
The Right to Employment.
The Right to Adequate Healthcare.
The Right to Access Public Passenger Vehicles.

General Objectives

Promote and ensure full and equal enjoyment by persons with disabilities, of privileges, interests, benefits and treatment, on equal basis as others and to establish the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities

To encourage all Jamaicans to recognise and accept the principle that PWDs have the same fundamental rights as any other person.
To promote individual dignity, freedom of choice and independence of PWDs.
To ensure that PWDs can take part effectively and are included on an equal basis with others in all aspects of national life.
To prevent or prohibit discrimination against PWDs.
To promote acceptance of PWDs and respect for their differences as human beings.

Beneficiaries
Persons with Disabilities
Country
Type
Law
Responsible institution
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Link
Enlace al documento
Topics / Chapters
 A. Integration of population dynamics
B. Girls, boys, adolescents and youth
Main Priority Measure

A.2 - Human rights, gender and interculturality

Apply a human rights approach with a gender and intercultural perspective in addressing population and development issues, and step up efforts to recognize, promote and uphold relevant goals in order to eliminate inequalities and foster social inclusion.

A.3 - Public institutionality

Build and strengthen national and subnational public institutions with responsibility for population and development issues, and ensure that they function in an integral and sustainable manner with the active participation of non-governmental stakeholders.

A.4 - Population and development

Ensure full integration of population dynamics into sustainable development planning, sectoral policies and public policies and programmes in general ―in particular in development and land-use planning― at national and subnational levels, drawing on sociodemographic knowledge and information and harnessing technological advances.

A.5 - Sustainable development for human well-being

Pursue sustainable development as a means of securing now and in the future human well-being for all peoples on an equitable basis, and ensuring that the linkages between population, resources, the environment and development are fully recognized, appropriately administered and maintained in a harmonious and dynamic balance with a thriving biodiversity and healthy ecosystems

B.7 - Boys, girls, adolescents and young people

Guarantee for all boys, girls, adolescents and young people, without any form of discrimination, the chance to live a life free from poverty and violence, and to enjoy protection and exercise of their human rights, a range of opportunities and access to health, education and social protection.

B.8 - Mechanisms for effective participation

Guarantee also the existence of mechanisms for the effective participation, without any form of discrimination, of adolescents and young people in public debate, in decision-making and in all policy and programme phases, in particular on matters that affect them directly, and strengthen institutional mechanisms for youth.

B.10 - Policies and programs for youth

Promote and invest in labour and employment policies and special training programmes for youth to boost personal and collective capabilities and initiative and to enable them to reconcile studies and work activities, without precarious working conditions and guaranteeing equal opportunities and treatment.

B.16 - Guarantee of opportunities and capabilities

Guarantee for boys, girls, adolescents and young people the opportunities and the basis for harmonious coexistence and a life free from violence, through intersectoral strategies to address the factors that disrupt harmony in the community and foment violence, to provide education from early childhood that promotes tolerance, an appreciation for diversity, mutual respect and respect for human rights, conflict resolution and peace, and to ensure protection, timely access to justice and compensation for victims.