Disability and Inequality:Socioeconomic Imperatives and Public Policy in Jamaica explores the lived experiences of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Jamaica, examining measurable socioeconomic deficits that establish PWDs are more likely to experience inferior education, training, and labor market outcomes compared to persons without disabilities. The author provides an evidence-based, theoretically grounded, and implementable public policy framework, called Framework of Key Determinants for Political and Socioeconomic Inclusion of PWDs, which advances anti-discrimination legislation and a twin-track policy schema with interconnected enablers of human rights. Using this framework, Jamaica, the Caribbean, and other Southern countries looking for methods and strategies to fulfill commitments set out by the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will find approaches to sustain existing progress, and address structural systemic deficits which continue to deny PWDs long-term sustainable development.
"Disability and Inequality provides an often overlooked analysis of disability in a developing nation. ... Gayle-Geddes gives a thorough theoretical picture and supplements this with quantitative data from censuses and research, along with her own qualitative research to provide a clear picture of what it is like to be disabled in Jamaica. Furthermore, she does this in a way that is accessible and easy to read. I highly recommend this book to all of those interested in disability." (Claire Meadows-Haworth, Disability Society, October, 2016)
"Disability and Inequality: Socioeconomic Imperatives and Public Policy in Jamaica is the seminal book that examines disability as a development phenomenon in the Caribbean. ... this book is of critical importance to international audiences, including policy analysts, policymakers, health care professionals, educators, disability advocates, and disabled persons. ... This book is the first in the Caribbean to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data as it looks at the environmental, physical, and social impacts of a disabling society." (Jacqui Getfield, Canadian Journal of Disability and Inequality, cjds.uwaterloo.ca, Vol. 5 (2), 2016)
"Disability and Inequality: Socioeconomic Imperatives and Public Policy in Jamaica is the seminal book that examines disability as a development phenomenon in the Caribbean. ... this book is of critical importance to international audiences, including policy analysts, policymakers, health care professionals, educators, disability advocates, and disabled persons. ... This book is the first in the Caribbean to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data as it looks at the environmental, physical, and social impacts of a disabling society." (Jacqui Getfield, Canadian Journal of Disability and Inequality, cjds.uwaterloo.ca, Vol. 5 (2), 2016)