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Ardenne High shows faith in physically challenged student

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Kingston, Jamaica, December 25, 2016 – On realizing that physically disabled student at Ardenne High School in Kingston, Faith Grant, would be unable to attend a class held only on one of the institution’s upper floors, the school’s administration promptly moved to solve the challenge.

Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM), a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subject designed to equip students with clerical and administrative skills, was one of the eight subjects Faith selected when she started fourth form.  But being the school’s sole wheelchair mobile student placed her at a disadvantage as she was unable to attend classes in the designated rooms.

However, innovative thinking by the staff, headed by Principal, Nadine Molloy, has resulted in Faith now being able to participate with the other students via the video-conferencing technology platform, Skype, which she accesses from the school’s library.  “A member of the team suggested that we do it by Skype; and we explored it and now we are happy that we did,” Ms. Molloy said.

Recounting her decision to accept Faith as a student at Ardenne, Ms. Molloy says while acknowledging the anticipated challenges in doing so, the school was, nonetheless, willing to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate her.  “Some persons wondered if we were doing the right thing. But I am always up for a challenge and I indicated to the staff that I was going to try, which meant we were all going to try,” she states.

The Principal indicates that she researched cerebral palsy and had the staff consult with trained personnel on how best to relate to and teach students with the condition.  Consequent on this, Ms. Molloy says Faith’s presence at the school has helped students and staff to be more embracing of and sensitive to persons with disabilities.   “It teaches acceptance and it shows that some things that we are afraid of, we don’t need to be. It also shows that it is important for us to make the sacrifice and go the extra mile to ensure that each person, no matter their capacity, can self-actualize,” she adds.

The Principal is confident that Faith will evolve into a productive member of society because she has been given the opportunity to pursue her education.  When Faith was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a young child, her mother, Susan Henry, purposed to provide her with as fulfilling a life as is possible.

Ms. Henry says she acknowledged that this would mean doing everything possible to provide her with the best educational opportunities.  She says it was on the advice of a therapist that she decided to have Faith enrolled in the mainstream school system, instead of a special needs institution.

Ms. Henry said that she is happy with the decision taken and is very grateful for and appreciative of Ardenne’s kind gesture in going the extra mile over the years to accommodate Faith.  She says the teachers and students have been particularly helpful, adding that the administration has endeavored to accommodate classes on the ground floor and install ramps for Faith’s benefit.

“Schools should really give physically disabled children a chance, as long as they are able to function…on par with other children. We need to accept that persons with disabilities are humans (too) and they should not be discriminated against,” Ms. Henry contends.  She adds that, in so doing, “it also teaches the younger generation values of kindness and of being helpful, and sensitises them to the needs of the disabled community.”

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills.   As the condition affects coordination, functions such as standing, breathing, bladder control, eating and talking can be affected.

 

Photo credit: JIS

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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