THE Jamaican Senate continues to be in the spotlight even after its former president has now left the country to make life elsewhere. Coward or hero? This was the latest barrage in public opinion against Rev Redwood before Senator Floyd Morris stepped up to face the bowling — to mix a metaphor or more — as the new occupier of the Senate top chair.

A recent editorial comment declared: “No free pass for Floyd Morris”. My first reaction was “whatever for?” If the reference was to his blindness, was this serving notice that he should expect no “ease-up” because he is sight-impaired? Interestingly, there was allusion in the same article to him being torch-bearer for many thousands of persons with disabilities, so why would he have to be considered for “a free pass”?

Despite this mixed metaphor, much time and space was given to what could hinder the senator from maintaining standards in the Senate, grandiloquently described as “considered and cerebral”. Pardon me if I miss the point. To put it simply: Is the concern that a blind man could find it difficult to maintain certain standards?

Senator Morris’ intellectual capacity is supported by an exceptional list of achievements which makes defence of his skills in that area unquestionable, so I don’t get the point of the “free pass”. Above all, does anyone still believe that persons with disabilities are intellectually deficient? Maybe that was not the intention of the comment, but that is how it came across. It reminds me of a time before this when the common view of the public was that once you’re disabled, you should not expect much advancement in life. Today, I’m told, some 163,208 persons (maybe more) in our country are classed as having disabilities. Life is not easy for them, but it is not as primitive as before.

We have moved past old-time days when persons with disabilities were not regarded as having sense. It seemed that it was not them as much as others who lacked knowledge and sensitivity. The attitude was more of a reflection on the able-bodied. There was no hesitation in nicknaming dumb persons “dummy”, and the sounds they made in their attempts to be understood were mocked. “Deafie” certainly wouldn’t get a job anywhere. According to local logic, if he can’t hear what people were saying, how could he function?

As for the blind, go to the newspaper archives and note the reactions to news that a blind stenographer had got a job in a government department. Everyone was amazed as she typed away on her Braille writer — thanks to the Salvation Army. Wonders never cease. Little did we know that the age of the computer would come and the blind would have access to more learning.

When “Oney”, with the one foot, began to walk with the aid of a sophisticated artificial limb, instead of a stump of wood crudely fashioned and strapped to his knee like a pirate of old, we sat up and took notice. “Oney” could not only walk more comfortably, but would run with his new leg. He joined a group known as “paraplegics” and went abroad to compete in the Paralympics for persons with disabilities. Gradually, the community eased up somewhat on the Oneys, the Dummies and Blind-eyes and all those who don’t look like the rest of us. Unfortunately, vestiges of prejudices can still be found.

Today, we have forgotten that this revolution in the lives of the disabled came about through the efforts of committed persons like the late Sir John Golding, businessmen Sammy Henriques, Lister Mair and others who dedicated their lives to bringing “ability” and resources to aid those with disabilities. These pioneers are no longer here, but the work goes on.

Advances in the various areas where ability has replaced disability continue to be made by the selfless contributions of dedicated people right here and, in some instances, through overseas partners. While there is still much more to be done, we have to admit that we’ve come a very, very far way. In the case of Senator Morris, his success story has been one of the best-known, so where is the doubt about maintaining the intellectual standards of the Senate chaired by a sight-impaired man?

In another country, the Floyd Morris story would have been made into a film or book by now, to become a source of inspiration for other disabled persons, especially the young. There is more than enough material for more than one film, more than one book telling the stories, not only of a Floyd Morris, but the paraplegic athletes and the less famous but no less dedicated everyday survivors, who won’t give up. They don’t need “free passes”. Instead, give them full integration into the society, give them access to training, not pity and condescension or unrealistic expectations from the wider community.

Earlier this week the Combined Disabilities Association issued a news release expressing their happiness at Senator Morris’ elevation to the leadership of the Senate: “This first as a nation” they say, “reflects a movement, though gradual, from the perception of persons with disabilities as welfare dependents with minimal contribution to nation-building, to the recognition that we have the capacity to participate at the social and political levels and in leadership positions”.

The association took the opportunity to pledge its “commitment, expertise and strong advocacy to making Jamaica a model for the development and inclusion of persons with disabilities”. The civilities having been recorded, the CDA then serves notice that their constituency has unfinished business which they want to see addressed: “We now look forward to the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the enactment and enforcement of the Disability Bill.”

Note that they are not calling for any “free pass” or hand-outs, but for rights to which they, as citizens of this country, are entitled. These include the right to take legal action when their rights and freedoms are encroached on. Senator Morris must know what is expected of him in this. I hardly think he expects a “free pass”.

Finding opportunities for earning an honest living is perhaps the biggest challenge to persons with disabilities who have to compete with the able-bodied for scarce jobs. It makes sense, therefore, that the University of the West Indies established a Centre for Disability Studies on its Mona campus. The centre has been in existence since 2009 when Floyd Morris, an alumnus of the institution, was named co-ordinator. Persons with disabilities can now participate fully in organised programmes of study and self-advancement at the highest level.

The institution is adequately equipped with modern and effective technologies to enhance training. The best gift of all, I imagine, must be the interaction and caring demonstrated by members of the larger student body, in giving their assistance and encouragement to help special needs students overcome challenges towards building a new society, where no one will feel it necessary to mock “Oney and Dummy”. Instead, all can have an equal opportunity…and no free passes needed.

gloudonb@yahoo.com