Wheelchair user calls on PNP to improve access to events for disabled persons

A man in a wheelchair, who said he spent 30 minutes in the broiling sun before entering the People's National Party's (PNP) conference yesterday, is urging the opposition to put measures in place to allow for better access for disabled persons.

Patrick Rhoden, a wheelchair maker and repair man, was spotted at the gate engaged in a long conversation with an officer expressing his frustration at the scant disregard that was shown to him.

“ Me always a come to National Stadium but there is a blockage from me a come for people with disabilities, and each time me let dem know and mi show dem me ID that I am a person with disability, a wheelchair used but it’s like dem nuh understand nothing about persons with disability,” he said.

Rhoden, who says he has been supporting the conference for 40 years, explained that the only access with a ramp is at the side entrance which was a designated area for persons with gate passes and accreditation.

“All wheelchair persons have to use this ramp to go inside the stadium now we are getting a challenge,” the repair man said.

Rhoden complained that he was instructed by the police personnel manning the gate that he had to get permission from "higher authority."

However, he said that should not be the case as access was not an issue during other events. “Whether ticket or nuh ticket or band or nuh band, as long I am at the wheelchair access mi suppose to get access to go inside,” Rhoden complained.

“ The organiser dem don’t organise it properly because everywhere in Jamaica there is wheelchair users and dem a come participate in a everything so dem affi mek proper preparation for person using a wheelchair, so that they can enter the building without harassment or [being] turned back," he continued.

Rhoden added that he was also told that he could not be admitted inside as all the seats were taken when he had his own seat.

Shortly after the businessman was permitted the officer who had told him that he need to make check returned.

Meanwhile, a lady who was spotted on the inside in a wheelchair when asked about access said someone came at the gate for her when she arrived. Consequently, she did not face any hassle to get in.

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