ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica (JIS) – History was created on Thursday, when the country’s first vertical wheelchair lift access to a courthouse, was commissioned into service at the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate’s (RM) Court by Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding.

“The installation of this vital piece of equipment will ensure the independence of persons in wheel chairs in accessing the two-storey building. The ‘inclinator’ as it is called, is the first of its kind in the island’s courts,” the Justice Minister stated.

He noted that the installation was a significant achievement given the passage of the Disabilities Act in 2014, which makes provisions to safeguard and ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities.

Golding was speaking at the ceremony, marking the re-opening of the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate’s Court building in St Elizabeth.

The inclinator features a 340 kg (750 lbs) capacity, back-up power supply and emergency stop and alarm and is dedicated to the assistance of wheelchair-bound as well as other persons with disabilities who use the Courthouse facilities.

The Justice Minister further noted that, it is the duty of the Government to ensure that persons with disabilities are given a fair and equal opportunity, to fully participate in general affairs, while maintaining their dignity.        

“It is no secret that many of our Courthouses are woefully archaic to say the least and in need of desperate rehabilitative work.  If and when fiscal space becomes available, we will continue to push for funding, to undertake additional capital works to renovate our dilapidated court buildings ….and bring them to a standard where our judiciary…and court staff can operate in suitable conditions,” he said.

The Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate’s Courthouse was ordered closed by the St Elizabeth Health Department, when it became uninhabitable after being occupied by pigeons.

The court house was refurbished at a cost of over $9 million and included the complete refurbishing of the interior of the courtroom, balcony and office including the refinishing of the floors.

Other works involved: total gutting and reconstruction of the water closets; new electrical distribution and fittings; new plumbing and fittings; fabrication and installation of pigeon deterring devices; partial pavement of the entry area, construction of a ramp, and the painting of the area for the police.