Press Release: Thanksgiving Service 2008
The Jamaica Association for the Deaf marks 70 years of promoting Deaf excellence in 2008. The JAD is commemorating this notable milestone with a series of activities geared towards increasing public awareness of the services carried out by the organization and related issues concerning the Deaf Community.
The celebration commenced with a Thanksgiving Service recently held at the Swallowfield Chapel on Sunday, June 8. The Honourable Prime 
Minister, Mr. Bruce Golding, was in attendance along with other members of Government, including the Honourable Andrew Gallimore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour & Social Security; Dr. Patricia Dunwell, Chairman of the National Advisory Board on Disabilities; Dr. the Honourable R. Danny Williams and Mrs. Williams, the Honourable Maurice Facey and Mrs. Facey; members of the JAD Executive Board and School Management Boards, the Deaf Community; School Community, as well as affiliated members of the Disability Sector.
Prime Minister Golding, in his message to the large audience of over 1000 persons, commended the Association for its strident advocacy on behalf of the community of deaf and hard of hearing persons over the past 70 years. He challenged the hearing community to become more sensitive to the rights, needs, and the challenges faced daily by persons with disabilities.
Minister Golding further reaffirmed his personal commitment as well as that of his Government to supporting every effort to ensure that the rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons are advanced, promoted, and protected.
In his absence, Mrs. Carol Fox, Chairman of the Lister Mair/Gilby School for the Deaf read the message from Minister of Education, the Honourable Andrew Holness. Minister Holness made reference to the National Special
Education Policy which highlights the need for the use of technology to support special educational needs. Minister Holness informed that a new initiative termed “Child Find” will be launched in mainstream schools aimed at identifying and supporting students with special needs, and will be supported by a new referral and placement system.
In his message, Minister Gallimore noted the contributions made by Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons to the areas of technology, teaching, cosmetology, and the performing arts. Minister Gallimore stated that “…greater understanding (should) be pursued in how we treat persons with disabilities in Jamaica. We are now seeing a greater shift in providing an accessible environment for persons with disabilities across the world. Consequently, Jamaica must reshape its landscape towards mainstreaming the gamut of persons with disabilities”.
Commendations were also received from major Project Funder, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica; as well as, the various chairpersons of the School Boards and Past Principals of the schools.
