Human Services Ministry training in ICT sees 14 PWDs successfully completing

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud this week distributed
assistive aids, tablets and wheelchairs to the first batch of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who
completed a specialised ICT (Information Communications Technology) training recently.
The ministry noted that the distribution that took place was to assist them in continuing their
studies and practice at home. However, upon completion of the course, through Nations
University, they were encouraged to continue making an effort to educate themselves. One of the
beneficiaries, Hazel Sears, especially enjoyed learning how to type and is looking forward to
more training opportunities because she said there is still a lot left for her to learn about software
and programmes that are specific to PWDs. Another participant, Colin Caesar, who was one of
the visually impaired participants, said that this was a life changing experience that opens up the
world of further studies and work to him.

It was the first time that Omar Ramjit, another participant, used a computer and he said he
thoroughly enjoyed doing so. Ramjit, like many other trainees, also benefitted from guidance on
how to use the JAWS software. (JAWS is a computer screen reader programme that allows blind
and visually impaired users to read the screen, such as through a text-to-speech output) Minister
Persaud in offering congratulatory remarks to the participants, stressed that the Ministry is
offering varied free courses to persons living with disabilities which are expected to benefit over
600 PWDs. “I know it wasn’t an easy one for you and required tremendous sacrifice and I hope
that with the training you can go on to do so much more for yourselves,” she noted.
Commenting on the practicality of the training, Dr. Persaud said: “ICT is so widely used now in
the world, especially under the COVID-19 pandemic situation but it’s not only about the
training; this can go toward making you independent. Our intention is to help you to start your
own businesses and to help you in as many ways as we can in the New Year.” It was noted that
Dr. Persaud early in 2022, plans to engage PWDs so as to bring them up-to-date on all of the
initiatives and programmes that the Ministry has planned for the future. A major one is the
operationalizing of the centre that is being built in the Mahaica Hospital compound. The
Ministry at this facility, will continue to offer technical and vocational skills and PWDs will have
somewhere to host their events. “You can now have a place and a space to call your own,”
Minister Persaud noted.
It was pointed out that the Ministry is also working on collaboration with Small Business Bureau
to have that this facility available to PWDs so that they can benefit from funds to start their own
businesses. Meanwhile, Acting Technical Officer of the Difficult Circumstances Unit Satesh
Rajpat stated that the Ministry has been training persons with disabilities in various areas, the
predominant one being ICT. The training encouraged PWDs to continue to educate themselves
despite the current challenges, Rajpat noted. He declared that 14 PWDs were able to complete
the first set of training and other classes will start soon in guidance and counselling, sewing,
mobility and a host of other skills areas. Rajpat added that the classes are small in size to offer
personalized support.