In an age when the term “inclusivity” is being embraced and treated as an integral building block of society, many developing countries are striving to build infrastructure and create an architectural framework within which their special needs citizens can thrive. For sure, Jamaica has had a slice of the ‘inaccessibility’ pie. However, the Government, with the support of non-profit and private sector organisations, has made significant steps to ensure that Jamaicans with special needs are not only seen but also respected, welcomed and allowed to excel. One such private sector organisation leading the charge for inclusivity is the Digicel Foundation.

Last Saturday, the foundation hosted the eighth staging of the Digicel 5K Run for Special Needs. Participants — close to 10,000 — ran, wheeled (the Digicel 5K hosts one of the largest contingents of special needs participants out of any local race), and walked in support of the foundation’s efforts to raise funds for special needs organisations.

Since its launch in 2004, the Digicel Jamaica Foundation has undertaken Promethean projects that have had an indelible impact on the special needs community.

The 2019 Digicel 5K Run for Special Needs provided five grants, of J$2.5 million each, to the STEP Centre; Early Stimulation Plus; the Best Care Foundation; the Jamaica Visually Impaired Cricket Association; and Community Based Rehabilitation Jamaica. “It is with the help of our business customers, partners and sponsors that we are able to give back to these great causes,” noted Digicel Jamaica Foundation CEO Karlene Dawson.