MONTEGO BAY, St James — The inaugural staging of the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Council’s Justice Fair for Persons with Disabilities, held on December 7 for persons with disabilities (PWD), provided justice services to over 200 persons living with disabilities.

The fair, held at Harmony Beach Park in partnership with Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), was funded by Global Affairs Canada through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In addressing the theme for the fair, ‘Justice without Barriers; Equal Access, Equal Opportunities’, Permanent Secretary Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane, representing Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, endorsed the importance of access to justice for vulnerable communities.

“In fostering equal access the Government is constantly addressing matters relating to laws that govern persons with disabilities — whether they be physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers — that hinder the full participation of persons with disabilities in our legal system,” stated Stewart McFarlane while speaking at the opening ceremony.

“To achieve justice without barriers, collaboration is key. The Ministry of Justice stands committed to this process as we work together — government bodies, legal professionals, advocacy groups, and the broader community — to design and implement policies that empower, support, and protect the rights of persons with disabilities,” she continued.

The Justice Fair for Persons with Disabilities forms part of the Social Justice (SO-Just) Project focused on access to justice as a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Persons with disabilities in Jamaican rural communities constitute some 56 per cent of the PWDs population and are disadvantaged through a combination of factors including discriminatory attitudes and the denial of their right to access.

UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Ava Whyte emphasised its commitment to assist underserved groups in Jamaica.

“UNDP’s programme of assistance over the 2022 to 2026 period, anchored on leaving no one behind, recognises that underserved groups need our support in accessing services and opportunities. We are therefore pleased to support this event through the Social Justice Project funded by Global Affairs Canada, as it is perfectly aligned with UNDP’s commitment to advancing inclusive development. The MoJ, and its legal aid department, and the JCPD must be commended for conceptualising this event and must also be lauded for their commitment to dismantling the barriers that limit access to justice by underserved populations,” she said.

Members of the community of persons with disabilities, who were mainly from the western parishes of Jamaica, were able to access all seven justice services offered by the Ministry of Justice, along with other government services provided by approximately 30 exhibitors who participated in the fair.

Jamaica observed Disabilities Awareness Week from December 3-9.