Persons with disabilities and supporters took to the streets last Saturday for the inaugural Run, Wheel and Walk, to bring the curtain down on activities to mark the Month of the Disabled.
Joining them and participating was Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, who also sought to raise awareness to the plight of persons with disabilities as he carried his sign: “I may have a disability but I am also a human being”.
Persons ran, wheeled and walked from the Child Care Board on Cheapside, St. Michael, to the headquarters of the host organisation – the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) – on Lower Collymore Rock, St. Michael, where participants and other members of the public enjoyed an entrepreneurial market and fair.
Noting it was the first time the walk was held, the Minister expressed the hope that it would be “bigger and better” next year.
“We had over 200 persons on the road today. [It was a] fantastic turnout from organisations and people on the road. People with disabilities had a good time,” he said.
However, while noting there was a fun element for the day, the bigger purpose was about raising awareness and the need for inclusion for persons with disabilities and for them to be recognised.
However, he pointed out that the event showed that while the design of the road prevented cars from skidding, it did not accommodate persons in wheelchairs as they complained about its roughness.
Mr. Humphrey said that overall that he was seeking to take legislation to Cabinet soon to address areas including employment, transportation, housing, education and sporting activities for persons with disabilities.
He explained that one constant cry of disabled persons was the lack of employment, however, that is expected to be addressed once the legislation is passed. “It will make it mandatory for persons to have to employ persons with disabilities,” he said.
Mr. Humphrey said the entrepreneurial market, the second of its kind, was designed to showcase the products and services of those with disabilities; help them earn an income; increase their marketability; introduce them to the public and show they had skills like anyone else.
The entrepreneurial market featured food items, clothing, art and plants, while there was entertainment and activities for children.
Meanwhile, Director of the NDU, John Hollingsworth, said he was “extremely pleased” with the turnout, which represented persons from various organisations and service clubs.
He described the event as an opportunity for persons with disabilities to increase awareness about their condition, while at the same time conduct a health promotion exercise.
The month of the disabled was marked from March 1 to 31 under theme: Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development.