The disabled should not be suffering for our suffrage
THE EDITOR, Madam:
AS A student, I learnt about ‘Universal Adult Suffrage’. Like many a Jamaican, I couldn’t help but wonder what “suffering” had to do with the right of all adults in the country to vote. I found it more amusing than interesting. Perhaps for that reason, I don’t remember all the details about the years leading to the granting of Universal Adult Suffrage in Jamaica. For example, for some reason, I thought that happened in 1944 … clearly, I was mistaken. Allow me to explain. On Monday, February 26, I sought to exercise what I thought was my “right” to vote in Jamaica’s local government elections. Like many of my fellow citizens, I left work and made my way towards my polling division. After alerting an EOJ staff member about my disability (which is visible) and my need to remain on the ground floor, I was told by the “supervisor” there was nothing that could be done to accommodate me.
The ballot, I was told, had to remain in the polling division, which was up two flights of stairs.
My two options? I could either make my way up the steps or leave without exercising the franchise for which others had struggled. What is even more disheartening is that this is the second time in two successive election cycles that I have had this experience.
While I am able to walk using crutches, it is difficult, and I seriously considered leaving without voting, but when I thought of those who suffered for my suffrage, I told myself that climbing two flights of stairs, though a painful and wearisome undertaking, was the least I could do to honour them.
UNACCEPTABLE, EOJ
What is the EOJ doing to honour them? What is the EOJ doing to respect the right of Jamaicans with disabilities to vote? What is the EOJ doing to ensure that one of the mandates of the Disabilities Act – to ensure that public buildings are accessible to Persons with Disabilities – is observed? What training is being given to on-the-ground staff and what consequences do they face if they ignore such policies and procedures as may be in place?
Suffice it to say, I find it absolutely unacceptable that in 2024 the EOJ still has not implemented standard operating procedures governing how its workers should deal with a citizen who has accessibility issues. If these procedures exist, then it would appear that not everyone with the power to apply them actually knows about them.
I climbed those stairs because I could … what of the Jamaicans who can’t?
In 2024, 80 years after Universal Adult Suffrage was granted in Jamaica, PWDs should not be suffering for our suffrage.
KEVIN D POWELL
Educational Manager