The vulnerable communities consist of our children, the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled as well as individual persons who are at a disadvantage by virtue of their socio-economic condition. A JAP government will give special attention to these groups so as to assist them and to ensure that their best interest are protected. 

Our Children

All children are entitled to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment which prepares them to be useful citizens as an adult. Sadly, too many of our children never experience such an environment and their life is a daily struggle for survival. The government has established the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) as a means to protect and secure the best interest of our children but it needs the help and cooperation of the citizens to succeed. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that our children are protected from all types of abuse and that their basic needs are met, but the citizens also have to play their part. Some of the  types of abuse which our children suffer are sexual, physical,  verbal and neglect.  A public education program of both adults and children will take place with a view to make the children more aware of avenues to report these abuses and how to seek protection from their abusers. This program will encourage the adults to look out for all our children and to report all case of child abuse as well as any suspected case. Stiffer penalties for abuses and the education of offenders as to the damage done will take place. The great availability of pornographic materials to our children is a major problem. Steps will be taken to stop the freely availability of phonographic material to our children on the street as magazines or dvds, and over the Internet. Penalties will be applied to persons who make these materials available to children or allow them to have access to such materials through negligence. Finding our missing children in the shortest possible time will be a top priority and as such a special team of police will be established to locate them and the necessary measure taken. Greater leeway will be given to school boards, principals and teachers to maintain discipline in our schools and protect the students from harm. As far as possible children in state care will be reunited with their families, under the strict supervision of social workers. Additional help such as housing will be given to children in state care who have reach the age of eighteen but are without family support. Persons who assault our children on the street and in public places by means of their crude and vulgar remarks or inappropriate touching will also face serious penalties.
Effort will be made to have both parents involved in the lives of their children in all areas including their education. Where needed, new legislation will be invoked and at the same time actions will be taken to ensure that those parents who need help can access it.  If, for example, a child in Kingston is found to be living under deplorable condition then the other parent will be held accountable even if he or she is living in Hanover.  It is their duty to ensure the welfare of their child regardless of where they might live.

The Elderly
The Social Security Ministry will be given greater resources to assist our elderly especially those who are destitute. Ways will be looked at to make sure that they have access to the medical care that they need including medication and diagnostic tests. Consideration will be given to assisting needy elderly persons to pay water and light bill as well as relief or reduction in certain taxes. 

The Mentally Disabled
Legislation will be enacted to make it easier to treat the mentally disabled while not infringing upon their rights as citizens of Jamaica. Better provision for their care and rehabilitation will be made.

The Physically Disabled
The lack of employment  and under employment is a major problem for the physically disabled. Training and education will be provided and where possible, incentives will be given to employees for hiring disabled persons. The provision of housing as well as transportation for the disabled will be looked at with a view to improve them. Reserved parking spaces for disable persons with stickers, tax free importation of equipment used by the disabled and free access to move about  will be worked on. Disabled persons will benefit from clear sidewalks without parked vehicles or missing manholes cover. Special schools for disabled persons who cannot function adequately in existing schools will be given the support needed.