MINISTER of Education and Youth Fayval Williams admitted on Thursday that while more needs to be done in providing resources for those living with disabilities, the Government is committed to achieving a more inclusive society.

“We continue to do what we can within the budget that we have and hopefully, over time, each year as we get the next budget we make additional provisions so that we begin to offer more and more of these services in a timely manner,” she said.

“I fully acknowledge that we do not have a perfect system but we at the ministry aim to give universal support to the learning objectives of the youth, making sure to include persons with disabilities,” said Williams.

She was speaking at the education ministry’s virtual forum in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Week, held under the theme ‘Embracing the Disabilities Act towards Inclusion’.

According to Williams, while the ministry’s special education unit is available to support students with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities, she is aware of the tough challenges faced in receiving assistance.

“I know the hassles that persons may face in accessing this service because the appointment dates are way into the future. So, even as I am full of pride to say we provide assessments and screening and consultations and other activities at no cost to the public, I am painfully aware that the time to access sometimes is way more than the recipient would like for it to be,” she admitted.

In the meantime, noting that she is aware of the country’s “apparent lack of awareness” about the challenges facing persons with disabilities, Williams urged more Jamaicans to treat those living with disabilities with more respect.

“I am alarmed — as many persons are in this society — by the marginalisation of persons with disabilities as a result of inadequate provision of resources. I am always saddened by the name-calling, the verbal abuse, and just the general disregard that some persons in this society have for persons with disabilities,” she said.

“I want to encourage greater inclusion of the needs of persons with disabilities in decision-making in all spheres of life. I encourage us to also look for ways in which we can support the lives of persons with disabilities by learning how to communicate with them, assisting them, and making provisions for their welfare,” she added.

In February the Disabilities Act 2014 came into full effect to “promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment by persons with disabilities of privileges, interests, benefits and treatment on equal basis with others, and to establish the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities; and for connected matters”.

Its main objectives include recognising and accepting the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as any other person; promoting individual dignity, freedom of choice and independence of persons with disabilities; and preventing or prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities.