By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS part of its 75th anniversary, the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association (TTBWA) honoured all its long-standing members who are 75 years and over.
The members were honoured at a ceremony held on Monday at the School for Blind Children in Santa Cruz.
The TTBWA has been providing services to improve the lives of those who are blind and visually impaired since its establishment, and works toward a future where persons who are blind are treated equally and are provided with the necessary accommodations that allow them to reach their maximum potential.
Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox attended the celebrations.
In her address she congratulated the TTBWA for their continued work in promoting awareness and working towards an enhanced quality of life for the blind and visually impaired.
She also pledged continued support and announced that soon, the ministry’s staff will undergo training in braille.
Cox said, “The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services continues to work assiduously to ensure that no one is left behind, and that all citizens are afforded equal opportunity to access social services, making sure that all our citizens, including the most vulnerable, are cared for and treated with dignity and respect. A critical element of this mandate includes the full inclusion and participation by persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.”
The minister further stated that strong focus has been placed on sensitisation and awareness as the ministry works towards fulfilling the mandates of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and achieving the objectives of the Action Plan of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities.
She took the opportunity to highlight some upcoming and ongoing initiatives by the ministry in support of persons with disabilities, which included the recommissioning of the ministry’s website and the addition of a disability microsite and collaboration with the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to introduce the Assistive Mobile Device Initiative, which is geared towards increasing access to information through ICT devices for persons with disabilities.
Cox said, “It is hoped that not only would all persons with disabilities, be further empowered to realise their full potential and live more independently, but our society would be equipped to provide adequate support to this community; thereby contributing to the realisation of the United Nations’ 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals.”
Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Sheila Seecharan, NGO Coordinator at the Ministry Cindy Heeralal, TTBWA President Felix Cazoe and TTBWA Executive Officer Kenneth Suratt.
