KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Spokesperson for Gender, Disabilities and Inclusion, Denise Daley, says a future People’s National Party (PNP) Government will look at providing a pension for persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have reached the retirement age of 65 but who have never worked.

Daley gave the commitment last Thursday during a forum hosted by the party for members of the disabled community in St Andrew.

“We’re making a recommendation that if you could not be employed because of your disability, after 65, that there’s a way that you will be able to get a pension,” Daley stated.

With employers not keen to employ PWDs, Daley said a PNP Government would look at the possibility of offering incentives such as tax cuts that would make it more enticing for employers to do so.

She is also urging the banking sector to provide at least one user-friendly Automated Banking Machine (ABM) in each parish so that PWDs can access them without having to depend on someone to assist them, oftentimes exposing their private business to the person providing the assistance. Daley suggested that a part from ramps being provided, the area hosting the ABM should be made wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and the keyboard on the machine placed at a level that is accessible to the wheelchair user.

Daley, who is expected to keep the St Catherine Eastern seat in the PNP win column, said she will be pushing for constant public education to sensitise PWDs on how to access funds and critical services available to them.

Additionally, she said the PNP will also move to update the Disabilities Act 2014 which was passed by the Portia Simpson Miller Administration, but which was not enacted until 2021. She said the party will move to form a committee to examine the Act if it is returned to office after the election.