…urges skills-based job placement for better workplace outcomes

As the Government moves to expand employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs), the Education Ministry is reviewing its inclusion policy to strengthen support systems and ensure greater access to education and the workforce for all learners. This was revealed by, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) for Special Education Needs (SEN), Dr Keon Cheong at the Education Ministry. He was speaking following the launch of a series of virtual training workshops for parents and teachers of children with disabilities by the Ministry’s SEN Unit. During an interview with Director of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Ganesh Singh on the Disability and You programme, Dr Cheong noted that assistive technology support for persons with disabilities is long overdue. “We are also looking to review our inclusion policy. The last one was done in 2010, and we’re looking at updating that inclusion policy. This inclusion policy will be really comprehensive when it’s completed.”

“The Ministry of Education has put out an advertisement for a consultant to develop an assistive technology policy for us, basically helping the Ministry of Education to understand what assistive technology is. I believe that when persons spoke about assistive technology five years ago and when we speak about assistive technology now, the definitions can vary.” He explained that the consultancy would provide the Ministry with an updated understanding of assistive technology, including what it means, what it looks like, and how it can be applied within the context of Guyana. “So, this will give us an updated understanding of what assistive technology is, what it means, what it looks like, and what it can look like in the context of Guyana. That consultancy advertisement was published, and the process should be moving forward. I just want to add that the consultancy for assistive technology will form part and parcel of the inclusion policy.”