IN an effort to provide Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) with the necessary tools to be independent, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) is currently hosting a three-day training at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

The training which is being provided by the Ministry, will see the 24 participants receiving accredited certificates in Social Media Marketing from Nations University.
According to Head of the Difficult Circumstances Unit at the Ministry, Mahendra Budhram, who is responsible for these trainings, the MHSSS has been at the forefront of providing equal opportunity for Persons Living with Disabilities.

He noted that the aim was to train approximately 650 PWDs, with approximately 150 already trained, in a plethora of courses.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, visited the training on Wednesday where she related that it was a heart-warming experience.

“This is an entire programme that caters for Persons Living with Disabilities which started last year and is continuing this year. What I like this year, is that more persons are accessing these classes and programmes. I’ve listened to the dreams and aspirations of persons in the class and they want to start their own businesses, some want to expand and they have excellent ideas,” Minister Persaud said.

She added: “I think with this kind of mentorship and training that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been providing and will continue to provide, we will be able to efficiently and effectively serve those Persons Living with Disabilities with the full respect and understanding that they have visions, dreams and aspirations for themselves, their future and what they want to do to be empowered.”

According to a press release, one participant, Odessa Blair said that she is thankful for the training since she aspires to open an online business. Jamal Browne, another attendee reasoned that from this, he will now be equipped with the skills to market around the country.

Browne added that the programme came at an integral time since it was challenging to find jobs and he will now be venturing into his own business.
The trainings compliment a holistic approach the Ministry is taking to empower PWDs with the provision of assistive aids, a staple of its initiative. Another project complimenting this training is the provision of tablets to persons who completed ICT-based training.