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Kingston, Jamaica -October 10, 2016: With the evolution of technology, there are more resources being designed and created for special needs institutions to aid in the development of their students and the sensory room is one such creation.
A sensory room is a therapeutic space specifically designed and utilize to improve communication and functioning and generally induced positive change among children who suffer from developmental challenges.
For special needs institutions in Jamaica, the desire for sensory rooms is one that they have had but were unable to access due to the inability to afford the room which is expensive to construct.
After years hoping for the room which could be valuable to their students’ development , Genesis Academy recently constructed the room after receiving an investment of $670,000 by the Digicel Foundation from funds raised at their 5K Run last year October.
Principal of the institution, Donna Lowe said she was expecting significant improvement in the behaviour of her students as the sensory room will provide a calming environment for her severely challenged students.
“Most of the students here are non-verbal so the lighting plus the devices such as water column will work as stimuli for them to develop different responses to textures and lighting which will help them to focus on learning in a normal classroom,” Lowe explained.
According to the Principal, the social skills of the students who are affected by behavioural issues because they are non-verbal will be impacted positively by the sensory room.
“Because they are not able to communicate how they feel, they often lash out but this room will help to keep them calm and also foster increased interaction with their peers as they share a physical space,” said Lowe.
Digicel Foundation’s support for the special needs community is one that the principal of the 13 year old institution says the parents of her institution recognise.
“Everytime we meet as a school, Digicel comes up and the parents praise the contribution of the company to their children’s special needs because they are grateful for the Foundation investment in us,” added Lowe.
Hailing Digicel as a nation builder, the principal urged persons to support the Imagine 5K run which will be held on Saturday, October 8.
“Their contribution has done so much for us in building awareness about the special needs community so I want everyone to come out and support the run because in doing it, you’re supporting the special needs community,” said Lowe.
This year's Digicel 5K Imagine Run will be held on Saturday, October 8 in downtown Kingston and will again raise funds for Special Needs institutions across the island. The nine beneficiaries of this year’s 5K include the Jamaica Paralympic Association, Abilities Foundation and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Special Olympics Jamaica, Mustard Seed Communities, Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, Early Stimulation Plus, and the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities.
About Digicel Group
Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After more than 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
