KINGSTON, Jamaica — Only 10 per cent of people with disabilities (PWDs) in Jamaica are gainfully employed, according to Opposition spokesperson for gender, disability and inclusion Denise Daly.
According to estimates released by Daly, this means that of Jamaica’s 450,000 disabled people, only 45,000 have jobs.
During her recent remarks during the 2024/25 sectoral debate in the House of Representatives, she highlighted the challenges facing the disability community and she would like to see more done to enable this group of Jamaicans to lead meaningful lives.
“I was disheartened to learn that there was an increasing marginalization of people with disabilities,” Daly said.
Describing people with disabilities as “resilient individuals”, Daly noted that they continue to be disadvantaged by lower education levels, poor health and access to healthcare, very high unemployment rates, and negative societal attitudes and stereotypes.
“In the 21st century, it is time to abruptly end this cycle of neglect. This requires deliberate will and action. Employment and accessibility are fundamental for all Jamaicans, but the disability population in particular faces challenges in this regard,” said Daly, who is also the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine East.
“How can Jamaica be a country that boasts employment statistics when approximately 90 percent of our disabled population is unemployed? Yes, of our disabled brothers and sisters who are able to work, only 10 percent have jobs! This is extremely alarming,” Daly asserted.
She wondered, “How can we help them develop a sense of independence and security?”
“How can these brothers and sisters help their families in their time of need?”
“How are they expected to survive in an environment that is already difficult and unfair?”
Daly said a future People’s National Party (PNP) government would enact policies that would create sustainable employment and access for persons with disabilities.
“We must change the mindset of those who still hold irrational and negative stereotypes and help incorporate people with disabilities into businesses,” said Daly, who argued that people with disabilities should receive equal pay for equal work in the workplace.
Daly said the future PNP administration would create opportunities for persons with disabilities in the fields of agriculture, education, manufacturing and tourism.
“The cultural, creative, innovation and digital industries also offer incredible opportunities for people with mobility, vision, hearing and even cognitive processing challenges,” said Daly. She said consideration must be given to how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect marginalized groups, including people with disabilities.
“AI has the potential to improve accessibility and create new opportunities, but we must ensure it does not reinforce existing inequalities,” she said.
