Cayman Islands Launch Public Awareness Campaign to Promote Rights of Disabled Community

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

#CaymanIslands, December 26, 2022 – The government of the Cayman Islands and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) has launched a new grassroots campaign aimed at protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

The “Save my spot, nah” campaign focuses on parking blue spots for disabled individuals who need them. It calls on the compassion of other community members and urges them to respect the rules surrounding the use of blue spots.

NCPD Chairperson, Magda Embury said it is important that the public does not judge or make assumptions about others using these spots. Some people suffer from invisible conditions and the use of these parking spots helps to improve their quality of life. “It is also important to remember that the additional space next to the blue spots, known as the ‘crosshatch area,’ is not an extra parking space, but rather an essential exit-entry space needed for motorists with disabilities who use wheelchairs or other devices,” she continued.

Acting Cabinet Secretary Jason Webster said, “As we have entered the busy holiday season, we encourage the community to be ‘Blue Spot Heroes’ and leave the blue accessible parking spots for those who need them.” Protecting those who are most vulnerable should be a top priority.