Commentary News Day 8 hours ago
Stacey Samuel O’Brien –
Stacey Samuel O’Brien
People with disabilities, like everyone else, have ideas and skills to contribute and want to succeed.
One of the main places they can contribute is in the workplace.
In my last post, I mentioned that we are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it comes to public accommodations. This protection also applies to the workplace.
The ADA contains language that requires some businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. Accommodations enable skilled and talented employees with disabilities to access and function comfortably in the workplace.
I am fortunate to work for a large company that has an accommodations department that is responsible for ensuring that employees’ medical needs are met as needed in the workplace. The team works with employees to ensure they have what they need to perform their jobs and be successful.
For example, when my left hand started to crook with a spasm, voice recognition software was downloaded onto my laptop, allowing me to dictate instead of typing everything out.
This is another argument for laws and regulations to protect citizens with disabilities who live and work in TT.
While I understand that we cannot compare the available resources between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, there are basic rights that can and should be provided to people with disabilities in the country. Some steps have been taken. For example, I noticed the curb cuts on the sidewalks on Ariapita Street. But more can be done. The government needs to enact laws so that the changes are uniform, regulated, and accommodating to all disabilities.
Brent, a young man from TT who lost his leg due to health complications, has been reinstated to work at a large, reputable company and allocated a disabled parking space.
A few months later, his manager revoked the “privileges” – no reason was given, no explanation given – and he could no longer park his car in that spot.
Whenever I visit home or go out with my parents, I always park in a handicapped parking space if one is available. It’s nice to have a handicapped parking space, but there is nothing in or on the car to indicate that it is parked legally.
I spoke to a guy who was trying to hang something on his rearview mirror, and when I asked him where he got it, he replied, “Men from the South.”
I no longer feel uneasy about using the spot, as it is clearly an unregulated spot.
Laws requiring official government-issued “disabled” stickers ensure that parking spaces are available to those who need them and that those who don’t need them are not misusing them. If Brent had a disabled sticker, his manager would not have the authority to stop him from parking in that space.
Without a personal vehicle, transportation becomes even more complicated for people with disabilities. Carol, a young woman with a physical disability, had to find a way to get to work. She researched her options and discovered Public Transportation Services Corporation for the Disabled (PTSC).
When I called to get more information I was told there was only one bus used for the service and it was no longer in operation.
She made several more enquiries to no avail and eventually hired a private driver, which, although more convenient, was much more expensive.
Carol uses a cane instead of a wheelchair and has difficulty climbing stairs. Even after solving her commute problem, she still had to deal with an inappropriate situation at work. Carol works in a multi-story building and has worked on various floors throughout her tenure. This multi-story building has ramps to allow wheelchair users to enter and large handicap stalls in the bathrooms on each floor, but it does not have an elevator. This is a glaring oversight.
Currently, Carol works on the first floor and the rest of her team works on the third floor, which is convenient for the company but not ideal for her professional development within the team.
Regulatory guidelines ensure that basic and necessary amenities and features for people with disabilities are not omitted during the construction or renovation of buildings.
Taking care of people with disabilities cannot be an afterthought. It will promote a more inclusive society and significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities. Moreover, sick and elderly people will also benefit from rational and strategic infrastructure upgrades.
From my experience I have found that people in TT are, overall, more tolerant towards people with disabilities, so the laws and government need to catch up. With the right facilities and changes, TT can become a more inclusive and even more welcoming place.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.
In MS, white blood cells in the body attack the protective membrane of nerve fibers. When the nerve fibers are exposed, electrical signals between different parts of the body and the brain are not transmitted effectively. MS can cause sensory, cognitive, digestive and muscular problems.
It is a progressive disease with no cure.