Post By Leslie Wan
Hi all............Been a little while but life has been busy lately......
It will come as no secret to anyone who has read this blog that I am passionate about the rights and opportunities for persons with challenges to enjoy what other folks enjoy. My husband has grown used to that glassy eyed look which changes to eyes of steel, as I walk and look around at the world. It means I am placing my view on the perspective of a wheelchair or other disability options. This lovely island of Jamaica is a very difficult terrain for those in a wheelchair or have other challenges and it is a crying shame!!! Try calling most service or utility companies when they ask you to (for example) "push 1 if you are a business or 2 if residential", for anyone with cerebral palsy or even a stroke, that is a struggle. I wait for that lovely voice to say "push 1 or say 1" - that rarely happens. I am well aware that many places have been constructed long before The Disabilities Act was passed in 2014 http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/341_The%20Disabilities%20bill%202014%20No.13.pdf and retrofitting a building is expensive, but what about all the newer places that could easily have been built with ALL people in mind. Sometimes it is as easy as a little concrete or asphalt to retrofit a ramp or a doorway bump up.
Examples:Brew'd awakenings
I recently went to a new lovely coffee shop opened this year in the Tastee patty building in Liguanea called Brew'd Awakenings. As I approached the building I thought how inviting it looked, and wow they had a ramp (which probably was for deliveries) but could be used by a wheelchair, EXCEPT the ramp did not extend down to the ground. A wheelchair did not stand a chance. That ramp could have been extended off to the side out of the way and allow for wheelchair entrance. This was a NEWLY redesigned building. Once inside the building a wheelchair could maneuver, but alas it won't happen, just because of a little extra concrete that could have allowed that. I know we can choose whom to patronize but something so small in such a new place. Sigh........(KUDOS to Brew'd Awakenings for moving that large plant away from the ramp when I brought it to their attention)
Newly constructed Chinese Garden in Hope Gardens
A lovely Saturday excursion planned for my family and I looked forward to seeing this relatively new addition to the Gardens. I was thinking that if it was reasonably priced, the school may be able to afford to take our students for a field trip. It is an expensive venture to rent a bus and find a way to transport all students, teachers and wheelchairs for outings, but very occasionally we can make the budget stretch or a lovely benefactor makes that possible. The children are inspired and joyful to get out in the world and see new things. So there was my thought, a potential breeze out for the kids, and a lesson on flora and fauna of Jamaica. I thought if some of the structures may be restrictive, surely the path would be accessible and the children could learn alot!! Well picture THAT ride (picture on right) with wheelchairs and children with spasms, brain issues, etc Bumpity, bumpity ...........No field trip possible here and it is so NEW!!The struggle to give a treat to students
On one occasion Hilary (school Principal) promised 2 of our students she would take them to lunch as a celebration for how hard they worked in class. When asked they said they would LOVE to go to KFC. What they wanted, they were going to get. Hilary knew this would be a challenge because it is always a challenge to maneuver students who don't walk, but they can sit effectively in chairs once placed. Along on the adventure came Ken, our gardener and calming presence at times, and when they arrived there, she realized that Ken would have to carry these young men up all steps and they are not small children! The children deserved this, and Ken was a good sport as he carried those young men up those steps.This BTW is an INTERNATIONAL franchise. When the students were placed in seats, people around watched with interest the difficult process. The students ate heartily and joyfully. One of them said "This come like Christmas to be here like this!" It was just fried chicken, but it was being honored for doing well and being out in life like a grown up day.... That happened exactly once. The struggle is real as my daughter would say.......
There are some positives happening..........
I don't mean to imply that the landscape is devoid of opportunities for the disabled community here. There are many places that deserve credit for their corporate spirit to do right by folks. Two supermarkets come to mind...........1. Loshusan ( Barbican Circle) is, and always has been, a supporter of the disabled community in many ways. They have a fully accessible ramp for wheelchairs (all around the plaza)and a door that opens electronically. They provide a motorized chair for shoppers who have mobility issues and a shopping assistant will be designated (if needed) to access shelving or freezer doors etc. They also employ the hearing and speech impaired community, so they give jobs to responsible and capable young folks. Hats off to Loshusan who years ago made this commitment before it was required by law. ....2. Family Pride supermarket (Manning's Hill Road in Havendale) also sports a ramp and will regularly provide a shopper for the blind, the mobility challenged etc. They also employ folks with challenges and will make sure the door gets opened for access and assistance if necessary. They are proud of their longstanding commitment to the community at large, and all its many varieties of customers. Kindness matters! Many many businesses also have spaces that are parking specified for the disabled. There are other businesses and banks that have given consideration to disability and elderly lines but far far too few businesses. So what is the message from this post. Many actually.......
Thoughts
1. Don't take your access and functionality in this world for granted. Many don't see or experience those same opportunities. Actually take 5 or 10 minutes sometimes while doing your daily day and LOOK around from a disability perspective. I promise you, it will be eye opening.
2. Support the businesses who try to support the disabled. They deserve credit and patronage for the effort and expense they put in to make things accessible.
3. When designing something or re-doing a business - for heavens sake make it available for all folks. It is the law and it is good corporate citizenship. Our aged among us will even appreciate this. Many of us have seen our parents change as they try and maneuver on legs that now struggle, where they used to dance.
4. Be kind to the challenged among us. Celebrate them, support them and register your displeasure when you see roadblocks to accessibility instead of avenues of patronage.
5. Remember that a " Barrier free environment" refers to ALL kinds of disabilities and that is what the Jamaica Council of Persons with Disabilities is calling for. (JCPD)
6. We will see if this really comes to pass but.....http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20161202/programme-coming-make-schools-more-accessible-disabled
Finally on another note................
The holidays are upon us and the children are SOOOOO excited. They will perform in their Christmas play during school hours as usual on Friday, Dec 16th, which they dearly love to do! They love to sing and dance, and they LOVE to perform for folks and do art projects relative to the holidays. They are a joy to watch every year............It is absolutely a highlight of my Christmas season!
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to Mr. Audley Evans and the staff of AAA Financial who kindly provided a Christmas treat for the children.... fried chicken, pizza, etc. Each child was given a treat bag with biscuits, candy, snacks, marshmallow treats etc. They carried home a loot bag filled with wonders. Mr. Evans (and your staff at AAA Financial) are most kind to make our children a part of your Christmas tradition and our kids LOVE to be spoiled with food they don't get very often. All a part of making them feel special and we thank you for THAT! THEY LOOOOOVED IT! Their smiles told you all you needed to know...A little bird hints they may have more to come -later for that...
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| Thank you Mr. Evans and AAA Financial- We appreciate YOU!! |
