KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Senator Robert Montague has criticised the Government for failing to address the issue of accessibility to Gordon House for persons with disabilities.

Senator Montague told the Senate Friday that, while they welcomed efforts to update the standing orders of the Senate, the Opposition was more concerned about the need to address the inability of persons with physical disabilities to use the facilities at Gordon House, the seat of Parliament.

“We have always pushed for an elevator or a chair lift for persons with disabilities to access the facilities of the House to be given priority,” Senator Montague said.

He said that the Opposition was appealing for an elevator of chair lift to be installed at Gordon House, as well as improvements to the facility to allow disabled persons to participate in the activities of both Houses of Parliament.

The Disabilities Act was passed in Parliament in 2014. It calls for full and effective participation and inclusion in the society of persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others; preventing or prohibiting discrimination against a person with a disability; and promoting respect for differences, and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity.

Disability organisations said that the Bill would strenghten existing legislation, like the National Building Code, and send a message to the Government to address the lack of ramps at Gordon House to provide for access by disabled persons. However, no improvement has been made in terms of their accessibility to Parliament since the passage of the Act.

Balford Henry