Handicapped Facilities

So, I read this article in the Cayman Net News today, which evoked a sneer of the lip and a flip of the finger in the general direction of the so-called powers that be. And it was not my pinky.

I laud the paper for trying to highlight the plight of the handicapped on our Islands, though they should not limit this outcry to those who are unable to walk, but extend this study and / or commentary to the blind, deaf, and other disabilities. I will keep a skeptical eye out for follow up articles detailing the completion and nature of the improvements, but I will not hold my breath.

When my family realized that my big Sis was slowly losing her ability to hear, we searched high and low for resources that could provide us with sign language classes. I was flabbergasted to note that this was an almost futile endeavor. Begs me to wonder where and what the Islands do with the handicapped, but for the required token handicapped restroom and parking space, especially for those like my big Sis, who were affected later in life. She is not in a position to attend the Lighthouse School to learn the ABC’s of sign with the primary aged kids. There are no TTY telephones for us to communicate immediately via phone, and it seems as if the telecoms companies are not even giving these a second thought, as they are not marketable and expensive to implement. And of course, there is the public sensitivity (or lack thereof) that is also to be dealt with.

I once watched with revulsion as a sales clerk spoke harshly to a patron that could not speak, when she could not understand what the patron wanted. I have watched with disgust as able bodied people have parked in designated handicap parking, running to do their errands with no shame. I can remember back in the day when Caymanian families hid their handicapped relatives away like a shameful secret. I have witnessed more than one occasion when individuals have spoken impatiently and aggressively to my sister when she was unable to hear them, and asked them to repeat their statements. You know that the I and I was not going to tolerate such disrespect to my Sis!!! Hmprh! I am vex again just thinking about it!! We also need to sensitise our children from they are in the womb not to stare and point when they see someone who is different than they are.

Needless to say, my environment needs further education and enlightenment as to the sensitivity and the plight of the handicapped. The fact of the matter is if buildings and sidewalks are not properly outfitted for handicap access (and this includes Braille signage) then we are taking away the ability of those with special needs to be independent. This would do nothing to erase societal misconceptions and prejudices as to the abilities and intelligence of those with special needs.

“We would encourage occupiers of older buildings to modify them to accommodate disabled people,” says the good Minister. What the fcuk??? “Encourage”??? Who the hell wants to voluntarily spend money to outfit a building for those in the minority?? I would think that the government would see fit to provide the occupier of the older business with a mandate to update their facilities within a giving time frame, as a matter of public policy!!! But, I won’t get too stressed, as it is evident that common sense is indeed not common.

Lets see if said government is quick to update the handicapped facilities on the waterfront based on the complaints, interviews and special needs of the transient cruise ship passengers on the waterfront, as opposed to setting island wide standards that will ultimately benefit their people. I wait with abated breath.

On that note, I shall now exit.

Toodles.

‘Fro