Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in Caribbean Organisations and Society

Falling short of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago: evidence from Equal Opportunity Commission case files

“…Regarding work, PWD often find themselves either completely excluded from the labour market or in low-paid employment, within inaccessible work environments and faced with prejudices regarding their productivity and bullying attitudes by employers and co-workers (Eide and Ingstad, 2011;Kulkarni et al, 2016;Bend and Priola, 2018;United Nations, 2019). Within the Caribbean, these employment challenges are exacerbated by inadequate transportation, limited education and training opportunities, acceptance of stereotypes, rigid work cultures and unwillingness of employers to provide accommodations for employees with PWD (Parey, 2020;Stephenson et al, 2020). Additionally, while national and international policies promote the provision of reasonable accommodations by employers, ambiguity related to the concept influences employers' compliance (Shinall, 2020).…”

“…In the twin-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, PWD comprise approximately 4% of the population. Disability discrimination is highly prevalent in the Caribbean given its history of racial and ethnic segregation; yet, Trinidad and Tobago is one of only three Caribbean countries to enact anti-discrimination legislation protecting PWD (Stephenson et al, 2020). Trinidad and Tobago ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015 and national institutional frameworks, namely the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities and the Equal Opportunity Act (The Act), promote equal opportunity for PWD (Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, 2019;Government of Trinidad and Tobago, 2000).…”

“…In reviewing cases, if the EOC finds that no discrimination has occurred according to the criteria of the Act, the case is closed. If evidence of discrimination is found, conciliation is attempted with the hope of resolving the matter between the parties involved, however, if unsuccessful, the matter may be referred by the EOC to the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) for adjudication (Stephenson et al, 2020). Based on a review of cases moving on to the EOT, Stephenson et al (2020) note that the EOT has been consistent in its application of the law and appears to treat similar cases alike.…”

“…If evidence of discrimination is found, conciliation is attempted with the hope of resolving the matter between the parties involved, however, if unsuccessful, the matter may be referred by the EOC to the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) for adjudication (Stephenson et al, 2020). Based on a review of cases moving on to the EOT, Stephenson et al (2020) note that the EOT has been consistent in its application of the law and appears to treat similar cases alike. Additionally, the contrast in the number of complaints to the EOC versus cases filed with the EOT suggest that the EOC is effectively resolving matters (Stephenson et al, 2020).…”

“…Based on a review of cases moving on to the EOT, Stephenson et al (2020) note that the EOT has been consistent in its application of the law and appears to treat similar cases alike. Additionally, the contrast in the number of complaints to the EOC versus cases filed with the EOT suggest that the EOC is effectively resolving matters (Stephenson et al, 2020).…”