The requirement to make public buildings accessible to disabled persons is among the provisions contained in the draft Disabilities Bill that was recently released by the government.

The bill would establish a time limit for making existing infrastructure and premises accessible.

According to the draft, all existing public buildings used for government purposes shall be made accessible within three years from the coming into force of the legislation and all other public buildings must be made accessible within five years.

The bill describes a public building as any building that is used and accessed by the public.

Failure to make such buildings accessible to disabled persons could result in fines of up to $5,000 upon summary conviction.  If the offender continues to offend within a six-month period after the conviction date, the offender would be liable to pay an additional fine of up to $400 for every day until he or she complies.

The government released the draft bill last month, bringing it one step closer to enacting legislation that has been promised to people with disabilities since the 1990s.

The bill seeks to provide for the promotion, protection and full and equal enjoyment of rights to persons with disabilities; to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability; to provide for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities; to provide for the registration of persons with disabilities; and to establish The Bahamas Disabilities Rights Commission.

The government intends to table the Disabilities Bill in Parliament within this term, according to Minister of Labour and Social Development Dion Foulkes.

"We want to give the bill publicity so that the public can make recommendations," Foulkes said. "We also hope to have a press conference shortly to bring more attention to the bill."

Asked if he thinks the government will succeed in getting the bill through Parliament before the end of the term, Foulkes said "hopefully".

The period for public feedback comes to an end on January 20.  Recommendations can be made to disabilityaffairs@bahamas.gov.bs.

A key component of the legislation provides for the establishment of the Bahamas Disabilities Rights Commission, which will be charged to protect disabled persons.

The commission will also be charged to work towards the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities, and conduct investigations into the mistreatment of disabled persons, among other things.

If in the course of a formal investigation the commission is satisfied that a person has committed or is committing an unlawful act, it may serve on that person a non-discrimination notice which gives details of the unlawful act which the commission has found. The notice will also require the offender to discontinue the action.

The notice also may include recommendations to the persons concerned as to the action the commission considers he could reasonably be expected to take with a view to complying with the requirement.

The commission will consist of seven to 11 persons.

The bill can be viewed on www.bahamas.gov.bs

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