Wheelchair user calls for PNP to improve access for disabled conference attendees

A member of the disabled community who said he spent 30 minutes sitting in his wheelchair in the broiling sun before he was allowed inside the National Arena from the side entrance is urging the People's National Party (PNP) to put measures in place to allow for better access for disabled persons.

The PNP on Sunday held its 86th annual conference at the arena.

Patrick Rhoden, a wheelchair maker and repair man, who was spotted at the gate in a long conversation with a senior officer, expressed frustration at the scant disregard that was shown to him as a disabled individual.

“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 user, but it's like dem nuh understand nothing about persons with disability,” he said.

Rhoden, who said 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,” he said.

Rhoden complained that he was instructed by 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 are wheelchair users and dem a come participate in ah 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.”

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 after the officer who had told him that he need to make checks returned.

Meanwhile, a woman 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. 

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.