Gov’t committed to Braille literacy to enhance lives of visually challenged - PM
Government is committed to the continued development of people living with disabilities, so said Prime Minister Mark Phillips in honour of World Braille Day as he assured members of the Guyana Society for the Blind of government’s proactive agenda, during a meeting on Thursday afternoon at his office.
To encourage the use of Braille, as a foundation for communication among the visually challenged, the Prime Minister committed to donate, through the Office of the Prime Minister, two Braille writing machines to the Society.
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister said that Phillips spoke about the welfare and development of persons with disabilities, focusing on developing Braille literacy through a comprehensive strategy, including curriculum development that encompasses the use of technology.
The release noted that the Mahaica Disability Complex was completed in 2022 for skills training and empowerment, while in that very year, disabled adults started receiving monthly public assistance while parents received one-time cash grants per disabled child. Over 200 persons received assistive devices and over 170 were trained in skills like garment construction to improve livelihoods. Additionally, construction began on a disabled children’s care centre and a business centre for entrepreneurship. Two wheelchair buses were acquired for Mahaica Hospital residents, while further efforts to ensure nationwide transportation access are underway.
PM Phillips stated, “As we approach the concept of shared prosperity, development for persons living with disabilities will take place. Ours is not a government that will leave you behind. As the country grows and development takes place, things will get better.” World Braille Day is celebrated annually on 4 January.