I journeyed to the Mustard Seed Communities in Kingston to donate a wheelchair to a child who suffers from Seizure Disorder. I was so grateful in being able to mobilise resources to provide mobility to this child with the help of Toyota Jamaica. However, one of the many things that struck a nerve during the experience was engaging other young people with disability at the home. I was pleased to meet a young man with disability who displayed great confidence in introducing himself and making it known how talented he is. 

            He indicated how much he loved Digicel Rising Stars and how he is the sound engineer within the community. Funny enough, I thought to myself that this is a match made in heaven because the Digicel Foundation’s love for people with disabilities is commendable. I always admired the Foundation’s inclusion of people with disabilities in their workforce, activities and decisions. They act because they believe people with disabilities are able. In a similar way I admired this young man who was so intelligent, so calm and collected, and remarkably talented. I was in awe in the moment. However, when the excitement dissipated and that thrill turned into reality, I was deeply saddened. I believe that it is grossly unfair for such a talented young man to be socially bound by his physical circumstances.

Inclusion Matters

Though he is in a wheelchair, he is incredibly competent and ambitious. However, persons with disabilities in Jamaica are not given many opportunities to display such talent and competence to the rest of the nation or world. Why should a young man who is so cogent and filled with potential be at a disadvantage in pursing his dreams? Why should he be subjected to the confines of the community simply because there are no adequate employment prospects for persons with disabilities in Jamaica? If you take a moment to ponder, you will also recognise that this lack of consideration is overarching; not limited to employment. 

            We do not frequently see business places catering to the needs of people with disabilities. There are no slopes to accommodate a wheelchair in many places of work and business, for example. There are no appropriate seating positions for persons with disabilities on our public transportation. Our homes and infrastructure do not facilitate and improve the lives of people with disability. 

The Disability Act

On February 14, 2022, the Disabilities Act came into effect in Jamaica. The Act which was passed in 2014, took 8 years to be implemented. That, in and of itself, is an unfortunate lived experience for persons with disabilities. However, the Disability Act is the start. The Act is designed in such a way to advocate for equal opportunities for people with disability and abolish discrimination against them.

The Disabilities Act 2014 highlights the following key areas:

•  The Provision of a Disability Certificate
•  The Right to Education & Training
•  The Right to Employment
•  The Right to Adequate Healthcare and Accessible Facilities
•  The Right to Housing and to enter Premises
•  The Work of the New Jamaica Council for PWDs and the Disability Tribunal

•  The Right to Access Public Passenger Vehicles
• The Right to Participate in Public Office and Political Life

–The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities

Though the Act took so long to come to fruition, it is just the start. I wish to leave these nuggets of thoughts with you to ruminate on. So, as an entrepreneur, what are you doing to ensure an inclusive environment within your workspace? If you are a marketer, how do you ensure that people with disabilities are a considered part of your audience? As a landlord, how do you ensure a safe space conducive to housing a person with disability? If you are an architect, how do you ensure that safe structures are erected with the consideration of PWDs? As a human being, how do you enforce fairness in your space for PWDs?

Ultimately, it is absolutely important that we treat persons with disabilities with dignity; we show them respect and give them a fair opportunity to fulfil their fullest potential. People with disabilities are able so let’s act.

The post People with Disabilities can do it too: Disability ≠ Inability appeared first on Terri-Karelle.

They don’t do it for publicity or a write-up in the paper, they just do it because they know it’s the right thing to do. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to represent them as an ambassador.

Most recently, you may have seen Toyota Jamaica’s Christmas video circulating online (shared below), prominently featuring the Dead Can! Coffee team members who work at the Toyota Jamaica Coffee House, and a few other employees, speaking sign language. Warning: Get the tissues ready, because you’re gonna need them!

After Toyota’s team fell in love with the Deaf Can! Coffee story and mission, and invited them to run the Toyota Jamaica Coffee House at their Old Hope Road location, they noticed one big challenge in their quest for inclusion – communication. The Toyota Jamaica team knew very little sign language, which limited their ability to make the deaf baristas feel truly welcomed into the Toyota family.

So what did they do?! Teach us all sign language! Yes, including me. As an ambassador, and a huge fan of the Coffee House, I was invited to the sign language sessions Toyota held for their staff to teach them the basics of sign language. With this knowledge, we could now greet, engage in small talk and of course, order our favourite caffeinated beverages in sign language. (My fav is the chai latte, try it!)

I hope that this move from Toyota will help to inspire other businesses in Jamaica to not just talk about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and do the bare minimum to get great PR, but to go deeper and take concrete steps, however difficult they may be, to make it real. That’s what our country deserves.

Should you ever be in the area, ensure you stop by the Toyota Coffee House and sign “hello” to the deaf baristas. https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaJamaica/posts/10154128161768516

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OR…

Some of us wait until we are much older to finally get tested even though we see girls in their teens and young adults with Breast Cancer. Early detection is key!

That’s why I strongly support the activities held within Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October each year, that not only promote the value of getting screened for early detection, but celebrate the powerful survivors and warriors who continue to live life to the fullest and thrive, despite their diagnosis.

#LiveWithFlair Luncheon

This year, I was honoured to play a part in four events commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness, one of which was hosting the #LiveWithFlair luncheon. Live with Flair is an initiative of Flair Jamaica that is committed to helping Breast Cancer Warriors and Survivors to continue their lifestyle because life does not end with your diagnosis.

Keep Abreast Luncheon

The Jamaica Cancer Society also invited me to host its premiere fundraiser, the “Keep Abreast” luncheon. The proceeds help to fund the campaigns to build awareness, extensive research, procurement of mammography equipment and provide screening and treatment for those who cannot afford it. It also goes towards the Jamaica Reach To Recovery arm of the Cancer Society, which is comprised of survivors who offer emotional, physical and financial support to those fighting the disease.

ICWI Pink Dash

Before the annual Pink Run event, we have the Pink Dash, where corporate teams gather in the pinkest outfits they can find to compete and raise awareness for breast cancer. This year, as with previous years, I was proud to join sponsors Toyota Jamaica and the #DrivingHope team on this mission. The Flow Jamaica team happened to be the fastest on that day, but there are no losers in the race when we’re all running for a good cause.

We weren’t the only ones to show out in pink! Thanks to the team at Toyota Jamaica, Skylar and a few select Rav4s were rocking pink too! We did this in hope that when we’re spotted traversing the island, it will remind everyone to get screened, because we all know early detection is key!

PS. If you really want to know the full story on what was happening in these photos, then you need to check out the captions on my LinkedIn post about the event.

ICWI Pink Run

With only a week to recover after my strenuous Pink Dash efforts, I was off with Toyota Jamaica’s #DrivingHope team once again to run/walk for breast cancer at the annual ICWI Pink Run. In the last five years, ICWI/Jamaica Reach to Recovery Pink Run has raised over 10 million and assisted some 500 persons affected by breast cancer, so I make it a personal mission to support it each year.

We continue to pray for and support each and everyone woman who will benefit from the proceeds from these events! I hope to see even more participants and supporters at these events next year, because as long as breast cancer rages on, we’ll be here to fight it.

The post Spotlight on Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October 2019 appeared first on Terri-Karelle.

The RAV4 has always been the hot seller and the anticipation of its arrival was at an all-time high. It isn’t surprising that queries started coming in long before the model reached the shores of Jamaica.

The Wait is Over

What to expect from the 2020 Toyota Rav4

The slogan “Now Your World has Become Bigger” is totally fitting for the all-new RAV4. Whether you are exploring the mountainsides, driving along the shorelines, dipping in valleys, discovering hidden gems of Jamaica or simply running errands in the city, the 2020 Toyota Rav4 is the epitome of strength, fuel efficiency and sophistication.

Skylar is the name of my Terri blue Toyota Rav4. The cyan metallic colour enhances the bold presence the SUV already has. She sits low, hugs the road and drives like a dream. The new body is less rounded and has a balanced appeal of mechanical androgeny. She makes a statement every time she passes.

Features that sweep you off your feet

It’s hard to narrow down the features that make your heart swoon, but if I could, it would definitely be the wireless charger. For those who know me, my phone battery is always dead or nearly dying. The spacious pocket in front of the gear stick is the perfect place to charge your phone wirelessly.

The three modes Eco, Normal and Sport suit different kinds of drivers. You will almost always find Skylar in the Sport mode. The hold button allows the car to stay stationary despite being in gear. That feature is particularly helpful if you live in an urban area and traffic is horrible. I could speak about the extra USB ports and comfortable seats but the trunk is large enough to hold 2-3 adults. So, if you are like me, a fan of road trips, this SUV is perfect.

For more information visit https://toyotajamaica.com/vehicle/rav4/overview/

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