GOVERNMENT has given the ‘go ahead’ for the construction of a Special Needs building in the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Carmichael Street, Georgetown, as it has approved $50.19M for this purpose as it seeks to ensure accessibility to educational facilities for disabled children. Currently, the centre has three classrooms and accommodates about 40 students, but with the new building, 60 students will be housed.  
One of the main challenges the new building will alleviate is the students’ mobility around the centre. Currently, they have to wheel themselves up or are carried by porters to their learning spaces in the three-storeyed building.
The new, flat building will be outfitted with the necessary ramps, a computer room and most importantly, the necessary facilities thereby allowing the students to be more independent and safe.
This brings the Education Ministry closer to realising its goal of improving access to education for persons with disabilities. (GINA)