Special Needs
Improving opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Inclusion matters! At the Digicel Foundation, we're committed to working with PWDs and organisations that provide services to this marginalised group.
We have spent the past twelve years supporting and implementing programmes that advocate for inclusion and improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Our programmes are people-centered and address fundamental needs of this vulnerable group. Our special needs interventions range from sport for development, therapy, education, inclusion and facility upgrades.
Through a long-term partnership with Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT), we have seen the growth in support for Special Olympics National Games. Additionally, through their Community Training Programme SOTT, has been avidly recruiting and training new athletes and coaches, ensuring the sustainability of the sport development programme.
The Therapy-based Education programme was tailored to provide additional support to teachers and care-givers in areas of Occupational, Speech & Language and Behaviour Therapy. The programme which began in 2015, culminated with a two-day workshop for over 150 participants and facilitated discussions surrounding accessing public support and services and looking at interventions that aid in the advancement of persons with special needs.
Our flagship programme, ‘Preparing You!’ is a disaster management and emergency evacuation programme for persons with special needs. This programme was initiated in collaboration with the UNDP through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), funded by the Australian Aid. Other major programme stakeholders included the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services, Red Cross, and the Ministry Rural Development and Local Government. Through a new partnership with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB –LAB), saw the inclusion of virtual reality, to build awareness and support training in disaster risk reduction.
Our Centres of Excellence programme was designed to further compliment therapy and education efforts a special needs organisations. It became clear that facilities were in need of dire upgrades. This intervention sought to provide the necessary upgrades and refurbish or construct facilities that cater to persons with special needs to international standards.
All our programs take us a step closer to a society that is inclusive, with citizens who can make a positive contribution toward sustainable development; a world where no one gets left behind.
9 Facilities
Centres of Excellence
18 Schools
Preparing You
15 Schools
Therapy-based Education
2,800 Athletes
Special Olympics T&T
Preparing You
Masters of Prep is an interactive virtual reality game that engages persons with disabilities to identify hazards within the home and mitigating tools. The game is presented in the form of an animated room where the player participates in a school or home hazard hunt. Parents, caregivers and students will also learn tips and tricks about how to prepare for a disaster while at school or home. The goal is to show the target audience that if properly prepared, the risk associated with disasters can be reduced and or avoided. ‘Masters of Prep’, has six selections for the hazard hunt: adverse weather alert, hurricane alert, earthquake, fire, emergency kit preparation and an evacuation drill.
Special Needs Statistics
| FY 2023—2024 | Target | As at September 2023 | % Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Therapeutic & Resource Centre | 1 | 0 | 90% |
| SOTT Projects | 2 | 2 | 100% |
Investment Highlights
Project
Preparing You
Partner
GEF SGP, IDB-LAB
Beneficiaries
1,438
Investments USD
$315,000
Project
Therapy-based Education Programme
Partner
A&C Foundation
Beneficiaries
1,042
Investments USD
$281,000
Project
Centres of Excellence
Partner
Rio Claro Development Centre for Special Children, Lady Hochoy School Gasparillo, Lady Hochoy Vocational. Servol Sunshine Hill, Goodwill Industries, Life Centre, Each One Teach One,Princess Elizabeth, University of Southern Caribbean
Beneficiaries
681
Investments USD
$390,798
Project
SOFit
Partner
Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago
Beneficiaries
100
Investments USD
$10,148
Project
SOTT Training Programme
Partner
Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago
Beneficiaries
2,581
Investments USD
$126,267
Project
Special Olympics National Games
Partner
Special OIympics Trinidad and Tobago
Beneficiaries
2,800
Investments USD
$1.8 mil
Project Media
SOTT National Games
Come support our athletes! Annually, the Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) hosts its National Games. Athletes participate in various disciplines such as swimming, athletics, equestrian, football, basketball, and volleyball
Kiddie Pump
Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs speaks about the right to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. At the Foundation, we create opportunities for PWDs to join in the fun at Carnival.
Centres of Excellence
Collaboration is key! We create private-public sector partnerships to help us to achieve our goals. Through these partnerships, we're able to assess facilities and transform them into Centres of Excellence, making them safe, comfortable and more conducive to learning.
SOTT National Games
Come support our athletes! Annually, the Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) hosts its National Games. Athletes participate in various disciplines such as swimming, athletics, equestrian, football, basketball, and volleyball
Kiddie Pump
Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs speaks about the right to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. At the Foundation, we create opportunities for PWDs to join in the fun at Carnival.
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