The Cayman Islands is a leader in accessibility for the disabled
The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly and aims to promote the rights and well being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.
The day is celebrated around the world, including the Cayman Islands, on December 3 each year.
“People with disabilities and people with all abilities are important participants in the national conversation around accessibility, inclusion and participation in our future,” said the Director of Sunrise Adult Training Centre and member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kimberly Voaden in highlighting the importance of International Day of Disabled Persons.
According to the 2010 Census of Population and Housting, the top two disabilities in Cayman are sight and lower limb (leg) disabilities, with incidence rates respectively of 14.6 and 9.6 per 1,000 persons.
Cayman has demonstrated a high degree of commitment in keeping up with global standards in accessibility and has often gone one step further. The Disabilities (Solomon Webster) Bill of 2016 provides legal protection for the civil and political rights of people with disabilities.
The Disabilities Council is highly active and all members of its leadership team are either disabled or have relatives who are disabled. They have provided a highly progressive voice for Caymanians with disabilities, and their families, as well as visitors with disabilities.
Accessible Caribbean Vacations has given Cayman a five star rating for the presences of well-designed sidewalk ramps, and accessible vans.
There are also many leisure activities that people with disabilities are able to enjoy on-island.
In 2018, the Disabilities Council unveiled the “mobi-mat”, a portable beach-access pathway for people with mobility impairments on Public Beach near Calico Jack’s. This mat was the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
Sunset House’s general manager, Mike Pinnington is an instructor for the disabled and hosts a group of young disabled divers from the US, called Stay Focused, annually. Divetech has a wheelchair friendly dock.
Owen Roberts is wheelchair accessible and our national carrier, Cayman Airways is the only airline offering a boarding ramp for the mobility impaired.
“People with disabilities and people with all abilities are important participants in the national conversation around accessibility, inclusion and participation in our future,” said the Director of Sunrise Adult Training Centre and member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kimberly Voaden in highlighting the importance of International Day of Disabled Persons.
According to the 2010 Census of Population and Housting, the top two disabilities in Cayman are sight and lower limb (leg) disabilities, with incidence rates respectively of 14.6 and 9.6 per 1,000 persons.
Cayman has demonstrated a high degree of commitment in keeping up with global standards in accessibility and has often gone one step further. The Disabilities (Solomon Webster) Bill of 2016 provides legal protection for the civil and political rights of people with disabilities.
The Disabilities Council is highly active and all members of its leadership team are either disabled or have relatives who are disabled. They have provided a highly progressive voice for Caymanians with disabilities, and their families, as well as visitors with disabilities.
Accessible Caribbean Vacations has given Cayman a five star rating for the presences of well-designed sidewalk ramps, and accessible vans.
There are also many leisure activities that people with disabilities are able to enjoy on-island.
In 2018, the Disabilities Council unveiled the “mobi-mat”, a portable beach-access pathway for people with mobility impairments on Public Beach near Calico Jack’s. This mat was the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
Sunset House’s general manager, Mike Pinnington is an instructor for the disabled and hosts a group of young disabled divers from the US, called Stay Focused, annually. Divetech has a wheelchair friendly dock.
Owen Roberts is wheelchair accessible and our national carrier, Cayman Airways is the only airline offering a boarding ramp for the mobility impaired.
