A $73 million training and empowerment centre – the Learning Lab – for persons with disabilities, was yesterday commissioned by the Minster of Human Ser-vices and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, at Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara with plans afoot to construct more facilities for those with disabilities across Guyana.
The commissioning was witnessed by representatives of the United Na-tions, the United Kingdom, Canada and India among others.
The European Union (EU)-UN Spotlight Initia-tive contributed the sum of $5 million to furnish the centre. The lab, which is first of its kind, features three training rooms, a kitchen and dining area as well as a washroom facility. It aims to equip disabled persons with technical-vocational skills through free learning programmes to change their status from one of dependence to financial independence. The Centre also focusses on life skills and a safe space for recreation and meetings.
Persons with disabilities attending the Learning Lab will be trained in areas of garment construction, video and graphic design, videography, social media marketing and others.
Additionally the ministry has been collaborating with several agencies to compile a digital database that so far encompasses some 5,000 disabled persons. These persons will now benefit from direct support through health care, education and by extension understand the needs of their caregivers and family members.
Minister Persaud em-phasised the government’s focus on inclusivity among all despite physical status and background. She added that equipment such as prostheses that were previously imported at a high cost are now being made in Guyana at an affordable price through the Ministry of Health. Other equipment for persons with disabilities, such as hearing aids and wheel chairs are being distributed for free.
The facility was built for persons with diverse disabilities. Transportation will be provided for persons attending special needs schools as well as the newly opened institution, Persaud said.
She also informed of plans to transform the surrounding area into a complex focussed exclusively on persons living with disabilities. A residential facility within the same area is underway for children living with disabilities, while another will be constructed for adults which will offer complete care and shelter.
