THE Office of the Public Defender is inviting members of the public to attend consultation sessions across the island to discuss the National Disabilities Bill recently tabled in Parliament. The sessions will begin today in Kingston at the Jamaica Bar Association, 78 – 80 Harbour Street, beginning at 11:00 am.

The National Disabilities Bill seeks to make provisions to safeguard and enhance the welfare of persons with disabilities, and the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) wants persons to come forward to give their feedback on the proposed legislation.

Acting Public Defender Matondo Mukulu said his office has the responsibility to make legislative proposals to the executive body and will be doing so, as outlined in the Public Defender (Interim) Act.

“We have a few challenges with the Bill and would like to bring it to the attention of the public. One of our primary concerns is the need for a register to be kept by the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities,” the acting public defender told JIS News.