UWI Students With Disabilities Receive New Facility

Tuesday June 19, 2007 – The UWI Mona Lions Club Centre for Students with Special Needs, a project made possible through a $5million donation from The Digicel Foundation, opened its doors to the public on Friday June 15.

The Handing Over Ceremony took place at UWI, Mona Campus and was attended by The Digicel Foundation Executive Director, Major General Robert Neish, The Digicel Foundation Chairman, Harry Smith and several other members of the Digicel Foundation team.

In acknowledging the project sponsors, President of the Lions Club of Mona Dr. Keith Peart, MJF, made special mention of The Digicel Foundation’s contribution that enabled the project to break ground in August 2005.

The new two-story facility houses a digital recording room, embossing facilities, computer room, sound-proof examination booths, a meeting and conference centre, a lounge, and office areas for administration, as well as assessment and counseling for students who struggle with learning disabilities.

Guest speaker, Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency the Most Honourable Professor Kenneth O. Hall said “This is a tremendous achievement. It is a clear example of what happens when people with good will and vision are able to come together to provide essential services.”

“This centre will be very beneficial to me,” said Sean Harvey, a 3rd year special needs student pursuing studies in Social Work. “Especially because of the new text-to-digital data transferral and filing system. It will help blind students to easily access study materials without requiring someone to read it for them.” He added that the overall broadening of activities that the new centre will provide is a great change.

Major General Neish expressed his satisfaction by stating, “We are very proud that The Digicel Foundation has been involved with such an important project for disabled students from its beginning stages.

 We are confident that it will provide a significant benefit to the development of these students academically and socially, and will increase opportunities for the disabled in the region.”