Two members of the local Paralympic movement are pleased with the upcoming National Paralympic Day but say more needs to be done for people living with disabilities in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) recently announced that March 11 will be the day of celebrations, with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen set to present the official proclamation at the launch of the I’m Phenomenal campaign on February 28.

Paralympian Alphanso Cunningham says it is a wonderful feeling that a day has been set for the festivities.

“When that comes around, people will be aware of our sports and our disabilities, and what we do for our country in sports,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “It’s a great feeling and I feel so proud.”

He says Paralympic Day will raise awareness about the challenges he and other Jamaicans with disabilities face on a daily basis.

“It will make the public aware of the adjustments we need when you think of making building plans, walkways, and everything,” he said. “When you talk about Paralympic Day, you’re talking about disabilities.”

He says Jamaica is some way off more developed nations in terms of infrastructure that allows for greater accessibility for disabled citizens.

“We’re way off in terms of transportation, in terms of the road signs, access to buildings, schools, and so forth, but they’re trying,” he said. “We’re getting there but the process is way too slow.”

His national coach, Neville Sinclair, agrees but says he wants the day to lead more disabled people to understand that they can have a fulfilling career in sports.

“I can’t put a measurement on it but it’s a great, great feeling,” Sinclair told the Observer about the celebration. “It’s great, not just for myself, but for others before me, to have a day that they look at your performance over the years – it’s a great feeling.

“For the past couple of years, even before, when [JPA president] Mr [Christopher] Samuda came on, he did some awareness drives to bring out persons who didn’t know about this. There are a lot of disabled persons around and what you’re seeing is that they are coming out. There are persons who got injured in car accidents, on bikes, and so forth, and they showed interest to be a part of it.”

Sinclair says he hopes Paralympic Day leads to greater respect for disabled persons by able-bodied Jamaicans.

“We have problems,” he said. “When we go to places and have to ask someone to carry you or come down to help you – it’s a shame! There are still new buildings going up and they’re not making provisions for wheelchairs. The ramps need rails for you to hold on to.”

One of his grouses is able-bodiedindividuals showing disregard for disabled persons by using their facilities, such as disabled parking spots or seats on buses.

“Only in Jamaica, this happens,” Sinclair said. “I’ve been to many, many countries and when you look, you have [up to] 10 spaces – those places are big anyway. But in Jamaica here, even the one space that’s in a supermarket complex or something like that, that one spot is occupied. I know for a fact that the security guards give people the spot and collect money.

“The Government needs to clamp down on this. I know Mr [Desmond] McKenzie [local government minister] had started a clampdown, but it needs to be widespread.”

Cunningham is a two-time Paralympic Games gold medallist, having won the F53 discus throw at the Athens Games in 2004, and the F52/53 javelin throw at the London Games in 2012.

Sinclair was bestowed with the Order of Distinction, Officer Class, for his contribution to Jamaica’s Paralympic Movement in 2016.