The Bahamas’ Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014, was enacted to end discrimination against persons with disabilities as well as promote their rights and advance equal opportunities, amongst other provisions.

The National Commission For Persons With Disabilities

 The National Commission For Persons With Disabilities is a statutory body that has been mandated to carry out the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act. Among other functions, the Commission has powers and responsibility to:

  • Ensure that the rights of all persons with disabilities are respected and upheld;
  • Formulate policies and recommend measures to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities;
  • Register all persons with disabilities as well as register all organizations for persons with disabilities;
  • Design programs and initiatives to promote the employability, independence and overall well-being of persons with disabilities;
  • to provide special recommendations for persons with increased vulnerabilities such as women, children, the elderly, the poor and persons with dual or multiple disabilities;
  • Ensure adequate accessibility to health care, education and employment opportunities;
  • Monitor, evaluate and ensure compliance with the International Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities;
  • To consult with the Government and others to ensure the provision of suitable equal opportunities for housing, transportation, and education of persons with disabilities
  • To issue orders requiring owners of premises or operators of services normally available to the public to make physical, structural, administrative or procedural adjustments necessary to accommodate persons with disabilities,

The Commission is comprised of 15 persons who represent the community of persons with disabilities and as well as a cross-section of stakeholders.

Secretariat of the Commission

The work of the National Commission For Persons With Disabilities is assisted and administered by the Secretariat of the Commission. The Secretariat is comprised of a team of full-time personnel who undertake the day-to-day affairs of the Commission.

Complaints of Discrimination 

A person with a disability who feels discriminated against by an employer, business place or provider of service to the public may complain to the Commission. The Commission will seek to have the complaint resolved amicably, and only if necessary will issue adjustment orders or request the Attorney-General to take appropriate legal action.

In the future the Commission will appoint inspectors who shall be empowered to investigate and recommend prosecution or any other remedy against any persons who infringe against any provision of the Persons with Disabilities Act. 

Commission Priorities

  • Advancing accessibility components of the Act;
  • Examining and making recommend-ations to amend other legislation which affect persons with disabilities, like the Road Traffic Act and Housing Act;
  • Public awareness initiatives to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, the provisions of the Act, and the work of the Commission;
  • Exploring policies and initiatives to encourage the training and employment of qualifying persons with disabilities;
  • Addressing serious complaints of alleged discrimination;
  • The registration of and engagement with persons with disabilities and organizations for persons with disabilities to help shape national policy.
Address:

J.F. Kennedy Drive & Bethel Avenue
Nassau, Bahamas

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Phone:

(242) 397-8600 
(242) 397-8636
or (242) 397-8614

Whatsapp: (242) 376-8328

E-mail:

disabilitiescommission@bahamas.gov.bs
disabilitiescommission@gmail.com

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