Laws need to cater to disabled more – Hinkson

A Government backbencher wants this country’s legislation to cater to a wider range of persons with disabilities, allowing more of them access to financial assistance from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Member of Parliament for St James North Edmund Hinkson said that presently only blind or deaf persons are entitled to monetary benefits under the NIS Act which was enacted back in 1967.

However, Hinkson advocated for a change to the original legislation, as he contributed to debate on a resolution to rescind the resolution approving the lease to the Maria Holder Memorial Trust of a parcel of land at Upton, Christ Church for the purpose of constructing a skatepark for public use.

“Times have changed and more people are getting disabilities as time goes on,” he said. “The invariable truth is that most people, children with disabilities in this country are from poor families. That is the reality of the situation. Most people with disabilities come from poor families who struggle on a daily basis to be able to support them financially. Therefore, this Parliament has to look at our legislation on this, see how we can make it more fit for purpose to accommodate the just society we all aim for, which we all in here have pledged to develop in this country.”

In recent years, the NIS has been under pressure, a situation compounded by the current COVID-19 pandemic, with increased unemployment and decline in contributions to the fund. However, the former Minister of Home Affairs acknowledged that while some of the persons who do not now qualify for NIS may be able to access welfare, “they should be able to access benefits as a legal right and entitlement just like others”.

Hinkson also supported Government’s thrust for reform of the education system, spearheaded by the Educational Reform Committee established earlier this year. He expressed hope that all levels of the system, including the disabled community, would be considered. He claimed that Barbados was currently lagging in this area as six other Caribbean territories already have legislation for the disabled.

“I know that the Ministry of People Empowerment is considering advancement in this area but in the meantime, Sir, we do need some leeway on this issue,” Hinkson added. (KC)