$73M Learning Lab targets financial independence for Persons with Disabilities

The $73 million Learning Lab, initiated by the Human Services Ministry was on Tuesday commissioned for persons with disabilities, providing an environment to learn and develop new skills.
Situated in Mahaica, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the centre will focus on technical vocational skills to ensure that persons gain financial independence. However, empowerment, life skills, and a safe space for recreational activities will be created for persons will disabilities.
The European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) would have contributed $5 million towards equipping the building with furniture.

Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Ye?im Oruç said it brings Guyana one step closer to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through supporting families in need, empowering people, and promoting equality.
“I commend this initiative to make human rights, especially Guyana’s obligation under the International Convention on Disability and its local laws, to ensure that all those articles of this convention are tangibly realised and advanced; and that the voices of disabled and differently-abled people come forward,” Oruç discussed.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud said much planning was put into designing and equipping the facility, in keeping with the Government’s vision of creating better lives for persons with disabilities.
“We want this to be a space that is always happy, giving and brings out the best in everyone…The addition of the Learning Lab is learning about everything while we focus on technical vocational skills with the strategic direction of having persons who leave with skills so that they can gain financial independence,” she asserted.
The institution will cater to persons with diverse disabilities. Transportation will be provided for the institution. Most importantly, the entire area will be transformed into a complex, with other facilities yet to be added. At present, a residential facility for children is in the pipeline.
Persaud divulged, “This entire area is one that will be transformed into a complex focused exclusively on persons living with a disability. There is a residential facility being built for children with disabilities. There will be another big residential facility for adults who would like to have shelter, whether they need assisted living or complete care. It will keep on growing and expanding.”
Through facilities and financial grants, the Ministry is actively expanding its safety net for those persons within this bracket.
Some 5000 children in Guyana live with various forms of disabilities – data garnered from the Government’s one-off distribution of the disability grant.
“More importantly, we’re working to ensure that we identify those persons living with disabilities, permanent and otherwise so that instead of being reactive, we can be responsive and pre-emptive to their needs. As such, the creation of a digital database is something that we have been working on very diligently.”
“This is the kind of advanced work we’re doing in Guyana, ensuring that there is equal opportunity, equal access, and the kind of development that can stand us in good stead for the years ahead,” Minister Persaud outlined.
Last year, President Irfaan Ali had approved a one-off 100,000 cash grant for children living with disabilities. This was outside of the public assistance monthly grant.

Training
Across the country, persons living with disabilities are being trained in their communities. From the target of reaching 600 persons, 55 per cent has been achieved. The areas of training offered include social media marketing, garment construction, graphic designing, and videography among others.
“That curriculum will continue to expand as the demand arises. We also want to say that with the curriculum and the kind of structure we want to have in offering education and technical vocational training, there must always be support in terms of trainees. We’re working towards that kind of expertise and support going forward,” the Human Services Minister shared.
At the national level, Minister Persaud noted that PWDs must be included in the conversation and decision-making process, as it would assist in erasing issues that affect their lives.