Kingston, Jamaica — 26 February 2026
The Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) will mark 70 years of advocacy in 2026, celebrating a legacy that has shaped education, inclusion, and community support for thousands of Jamaican families. While the anniversary highlights decades of social progress, it also underscores a less discussed but critical dimension of inclusion: the physical spaces where education, care, and belonging take place.
Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, the association’s Executive Director said the milestone represents resilience and a continued commitment to empowering persons with intellectual disabilities. A year-long programme of activities — including a church service, open days at five special education schools, public education sessions, an Annual General Meeting, and a closing awards ceremony — will mark the occasion.
Founded in 1955 by a parent of a child with Down syndrome, JAID emerged at a time when Jamaica had no structured support syste…
