Letter of the Day | Make public buildings accessible to elderly and disabled

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Imagine being elderly or physically challenged and visiting a government institution to conduct legitimate business, only to be told that the service you require is upstairs, with no means of access except a flight of stairs.

That was my recent experience at the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, where I went to submit a drawing for approval on behalf of someone who is currently off the island. I was directed upstairs to make the required payment because the cashier is located there. When I asked what arrangements were in place for persons with disabilities who could not climb the stairs, I was told that the building is an old historical structure and that there are no provisions to accommodate them.

I was alarmed by this response. I also observed that there was no ramp at the ground floor entrance to facilitate access for persons with mobility challenges.

While the building’s age and historical status may explain why accessibility features were not originally included, surely this cannot be an acceptable situation in 2026.

What makes this even more troubling is that the municipal corporation is responsible for reviewing and approving building plans and ensuring that developments meet the required standards. Accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly should therefore be a fundamental consideration.

Shouldn’t the institution responsible for determining what an accessible building should look like be setting that same example itself? This is about dignity, equality and reasonable access to essential public services.

I respectfully call on the relevant authorities, particularly the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, to urgently examine the accessibility of its building and determine what practical measures can be implemented.

If structural modifications are difficult because of the building’s historical status, alternative arrangements should be provided so that persons with disabilities and elderly citizens are not disadvantaged.

Jamaica cannot promote inclusion while allowing public institutions to remain inaccessible to vulnerable citizens. The gatekeepers of accessibility must first pass the test themselves.

AUBYN PERKINS