Young persons with disabilities invited to apply for scholarships
THE JAMAICA Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) is encouraging young persons with disabilities to take advantage of scholarships being offered at both the secondary and tertiary levels.
Executive Director of the JCPD, Dr Christine Hendricks, said that scholarships available to persons with disabilities include the Margaret Moody Scholarship, the Jamaica Society for the Blind Scholarship and the Marlon King Memorial Scholarship.
The Margaret Moody Scholarship, administered by the JCPD, is open to persons pursuing studies at the diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree level.
Dr Hendricks said the scholarship scheme was established with the objective to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities to enable access to tertiary education and courses for specialist qualification, and to encourage academic excellence among persons with disabilities.
She further said that the scholarship aims to impact the ability of disabled persons to integrate into the employment sector and to strengthen the sector through improved selfadvocacy; leadership for community development; and the stimulation of a more positive attitude for selfactualisation among persons with disabilities.
“We want to encourage persons with disabilities, some who may never have heard about [these scholarships], to apply. We know that from time to time, persons have challenges finding money for tuition, particularly at the higher level. So, we want them to know assistance is available,” Dr Hendricks said.
She added that the scholarships are particularly important to the disabled community, as they give a fair opportunity for access, without the possibility of discrimination.
Dr Hendricks also encouraged persons with disabilities to check with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona office, for Special Student Services; and the UWI Centre for Disability Studies for additional scholarship options.