KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is encouraging people with disabilities to take full advantage of the Disabilities Rights Tribunal (DRT).

The Disabilities Rights Tribunal was established in 2014 to address discrimination and violations under the Disabilities Act. It was created under Section 15 of the Disabilities Act and serves as a legal platform to ensure equal access to opportunities, fair treatment and full participation in all areas of Jamaican society.

Since its inception in 2023, it has handled complaints related to education, employment, accessibility, and public services.

Individuals who have faced discrimination are urged to file complaints through the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) which investigates and mediates cases. If unresolved, the matters are referred to the tribunal for formal adjudication.

Since the tribunal began operating, the JCPD has received 55 complaints of discrimination of which 29 cases were successfully investigated and resolved through corrective action, eight were referred for legal adjudication, one was referred to the Dispute Resolution Foundation for alternate dispute resolution, eight others were closed, and nine are still under investigation.