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UWI MONA: A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

“Nothing about us, without us” is the mantra for persons with disabilities globally. I have drawn for this quotation amidst a sensationally written article in the Gleaner on Sunday May 21, 2017, captioned: “Disappointing the disabled- UWI plans to make the Mona campus disabled friendly-going at snail’s pace.” In the article, the author sought to assess UWI Mona’s efforts to make the institution friendly for persons with disabilities and in this assessment, basically gave the institution a failing grade.

WHAT MORE CAN WE DO?

Persons with disabilities are an integral part of any society. However, they have not been treated with the level of respect and dignity that they should. After years of advances, many still view these individuals as persons who should be confined to their homes or be placed in infirmaries. They are still being viewed as individuals who should be on welfare rather than being involved with gainful employment.

WE NEED REAL EMPOWERMENT; NOT HANDOUTS

On Monday October 3, 2016, an article was published in the Jamaica Gleaner, chronicling the experience of the National Youth Service (NYS) in getting placements in the private sector for persons with disabilities that they have recruited and trained. It is a heart rending story that was outlined by the NYS because persons with disabilities are willing to make the effort to be trained and ultimately, employed.

Disabling the Disabled – copyright laws cause ‘Book Famine’ among the Blind and Visually Impaired

Hands reading braille

285 million people around the world are visually impaired. Of these, 39 million are blind and 246 million have moderate to severe visual impairment. About 87% of the world’s visually impaired live in developing countries, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific region. That’s according to the latest global estimates of visual impairment released by the World Health Organization.

Social and Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Project

Honourable Derrick Kellier, Minister of Labour & Social Security, left, greeted Mr. Masami Shukunobe

Several Consultant Contracts were signed on March 11, 2014 with various organizations to complete skills training and certification of persons with disabilities and organizational strengthening activities, funded under the Social and Economic Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Project by the Government of Japan and the World Bank. The funding, in the amount of US$2.9 million is to facilitate training and employment of 500 persons with disabilities on the PATH programme.

UWI, Mona Hosts Public Forum To Mark International Day For The Disabled

The Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and the Office of Special Student Services, UWI, Mona will host ed a public forum on Thursday, December 3, 2009 which is designated as International Day for the Disabled. The Forum which took place at the UWI, Mona Lions Club Centre for Students with Special Needs at 12: 30 pm addressed the International Convention for the Disabled and the pending National Disability Bill.

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