The Registrar General’s Department (RGD) will take another step towards inclusivity and accessibility with the printing of Braille certificates for marriages and deaths effective July 1.
Building on the successful initiative launched on May 1, where birth certificates were made available in Braille, the RGD remains committed to ensuring that all citizens, including those with visual impairments, have equal access to essential documentation.
In an interview with JIS News, the department’s acting Deputy Chief Executive officer and Director of Operations Management, Kerry-Ann Jones, shared that come July 1, persons will also be able to request the service online.
She noted, further, that the introduction of Braille certificates not only aligns with the RGD’s broader vision of leveraging technology and innovation to promote societal equity but it blends “seamlessly into the Government of Jamaica’s broader policy for improving inclusion for all in its service delivery”.
As it relates to the application process, she informed JIS News that it would remain the same where persons can visit any of the RGD locations and speak with one of their customer service representatives or apply through its online platform.
“Once the information is added to our database, an application will be printed for the customer to review,” she said, adding that the only difference with the Braille certificates is that “they are printed as a normal certificate and then embossed with Braille”.
Additionally, she pointed out that the service is being offered at no extra cost, making it equally accessible to all.
Persons may either utilise the seven to 10-day service, which will attract a cost of $3,000 or the standard six-week service for $2,000.
For his part, Executive Director at the Jamaica Society for the Blind, Conrad Harris, applauded the RGD for ensuring that this service is being made available to members of the visually impaired community at no extra cost.
“Oftentimes, persons who are blind are forced to absorb extra costs because of their disability. So, we are extremely happy that the cost of this is the same that anybody else would pay and we are getting the information in an accessible format,” he said.
Commenting on the overall initiative, he pointed out: “It’s an excellent example of how to do things for persons with disabilities and we’re very proud to have been a part of this partnership. We look forward to having all the other documents that they produce in Braille and available for persons who might want them.”
