–with valuable life skills

DEFYING their disabilities, 15 young individuals were yesterday certified to effectively delve into the world of work, having completed a two-year skills training stint at the Open Doors Centre, a National Vocational Training Centre for persons with disabilities.

This occasion represented the seventh graduating ceremony for the entity, which saw the trainees undertaking courses in the four disciplines offered by the Centre.

The ceremony was held at Love and Faith Outreach Ministries on Dennis Street, Sophia.

Manager of the Open Doors Centre, Mr. Arthur Lewis, said the Centre first opened its doors in 2001 as a project, but three years later it was handed over to the Ministry of Health, after which it was transformed into a full-fledged educational institution.

The entity has as its aim the need to promote and help improve the lives of young persons with disabilities. “In the past, people use to hide people with disabilities; they were locked away and were basically forced to remain out of sight,” Lewis recounted.

It was in light of the fact that persons with disabilities can perform; and if given a chance, can do as well as their physically normal counterparts, that the entity commenced offering vocational training.

Trainees are exposed to four main vocational training categories: Information Technology, Carpentry/Joinery, Garment Construction and Electronics.
Many of the trainees are products of the David Rose School for the Handicapped and the Diamond Special Needs School. As a result, greater emphasis is placed on the importance of establishing and strengthening links with other disability organisations and institutions, to help improve the educational process.

The training also comprises four weeks’ work attachment, and is supported by remedial education, guidance counselling, life skills and small business management respectively. The latter has been introduced because the centre recognises that not all the trainees may be able to attain employment after training, and may have to become small entrepreneurs.

The guest speaker, Penelope Harris, urged the graduands to be a door opener rather than a gate keeper.

( By Sandy Agasen)