All talk, no action - Blindness prevents master"s degree holder Wilbert Harvey from gaining employment

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Wilbert Harvey was born blind.

Social worker Wilbert Harvey may have been born blind, but he has a clear vision of a future of equal rights for persons with special needs in Jamaica.

With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work, he is qualified to take on corporate Jamaica. However, according to the 30-year-old, his biggest difficulty has not been living with his disability, but the inability of others to offer equal opportunities.

Since his graduation from the master’s programme at the University of the West Indies, Harvey has not been able to obtain a full-time job.

Gap between the rhetoric and action

He said: “One of the biggest challenges has been the barriers created by society in terms of discrimination, based on ignorance. My story is not an individualistic one either. Various stakeholders, the Government and business entities, in keeping with the global inclusive approach, say they are on board with special needs – that they welcome people like me – but there is a significant gap between the rhetoric and action.”

Harvey said persons with special needs are increasingly ensuring that they are qualified to compete in the corporate world and yet their skills are being underutilised. “I know of one colleague who has been job hunting for more than 20 years and has resorted to other studies as a means of keeping occupied,” he said. “We all have obligations in this society and I just want to highlight this situation and to make an appeal for people like myself not to be boxed into a corner.”

Harvey is considering participating in the upcoming Digicel Foundation 5K Run/Walk which is geared at generating contributions for various special-needs institutions across the island. Taking place on October 11, the 5K Run/Walk is one of the many platforms that Digicel Foundation has utilised to assist those with special needs. Persons interested in participating may register at www.runningeventsja.com.

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All talk, no action - Blindness prevents master"s degree holder Wilbert Harvey from gaining employment