Statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu on Disability Inclusion

As a cornerstone of the United Nations’ work, the UNDIS provides a comprehensive framework to mainstream disability inclusion across policies, operations, and programming. It reflects the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other human rights instruments, ensuring that persons with disabilities are central to our efforts to achieve a more just and equitable world.

In alignment with this global framework, the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Jamaica has developed a dedicated Disability Inclusion Workplan to implement the UNDIS at the national level. This two-year workplan outlines specific, measurable actions to integrate disability inclusion into our collective efforts, ensuring the principles and priorities of the UNDIS are fully realized in Jamaica. Key actions include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborating with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), such as the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), to amplify their voices in decision-making processes and support capacity-building initiatives, and to ensure the UN is responding to the needs and challenges of persons with disabilities.
• Creating inclusive employment opportunities, including a joint Non-Discrimination Employment Statement, that specifically refers to providing inclusive and supportive employment for persons with disabilities with reasonable accommodations.
• Conducting an accessibility assessment of UN premises in Jamaica to identify and address barriers, and developing a comprehensive accessibility plan to ensure both physical and digital spaces are inclusive for all.
• Mainstreaming disability inclusion in programming, operational management, strategic frameworks and communications to foster inclusive development that aligns with national and international goals.

We recognize that disability inclusion is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration and partnership. By working with OPDs, government, civil society and other stakeholders, we aim to dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes and create an inclusive society where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination or exclusion. We invite all partners to join us in this crucial mission to ensure that disability inclusion remains central to sustainable development in Jamaica, building a future where no one is left behind.