Guided by touch, visually impaired Mekyla Belgrave navigates skies with drones

At 22, Mekyla Belgrave is challenging perceptions of what visually impaired persons can achieve, using technology, determination and the guidance of her hands to venture into the world of drone flying. Visually impaired since she was an infant, Belgrave cannot watch a drone take off or follow its path across the sky, but that has not stopped her from taking control of one and sending it soaring.

Belgrave, who participated in Phase six of the Inclusive Innovators Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Life Skills Programme, which is being implemented by the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), with support from ExxonMobil Guyana.

The seventh phase of the initiative was launched on Friday and is expected to be implemented in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).