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Abilities Foundation Empowering Persons With Disabilities

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Kingston, Jamaica, March 26, 2025 – The Abilities Foundation of Jamaica provides training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, which enables them to function as productive citizens.

Managing Director, Suzanne Hamilton, tells JIS News that the institution is uniquely positioned as the sole entity in the Caribbean dedicated to supporting individuals across all types of disabilities.

The Foundation operates through a collaborative partnership involving the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, HEART/NSTA Trust and various other agencies.

Persons wishing to enroll should be at least 17 years old and possess reading and comprehension skills equivalent to a grade seven level.

There are currently 110 students enrolled at the Foundation. Of these, 107 attend classes in person on the institution’s campus in St. Andrew, while the remaining three participate online.

“We offer quality vocational training, and our main mission is to transition our graduates to a world of work and also ensure that they can live independently,” Ms. Hamilton informs.                                                                                                                                                                         She says the institution has an accelerated programme for students coming in with one or two Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects.                                                                                                                                                               “Our skills areas that we offer for training are housekeeping, data operations, carpentry, beauty services, design and décor. We also have agricultural science that we offer right across the board. We teach sustainable techniques in agriculture, namely hydroponics, vertical farming methodologies, container farming and traditional farming methods. So our students are able to translate those into employment,” she outlines.

Ms. Hamilton tells JIS News that 41 students graduated last year, 12 of whom gained employment.

“We have also had a couple of students who have ventured into entrepreneurship, [while others] have chosen to continue training, whether in CXCs or further vocational training,” she adds.

Ms. Hamilton notes that prior to the Disabilities Act’s passage, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security was among the government entities actively employing a significant number of persons with physical challenges.

“Some of our past students have been employed at the Ministry. We have also placed three of our students on the Overseas Canadian Farm Work Programme through the Ministry’s inclusivity programme, spearheaded by the Minister (Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.). I must also make mention of the National Housing Trust [head office] who have taken quite a few of our students that have become permanent employees and [were] eventually [able to] own their own homes,” she informs.

Ms. Hamilton underscores the growing willingness among several employers to recruit individuals with disabilities.

“We have had companies that have reached out to us… for some of our graduates for employment training and for employment. So we are seeing inroads in getting our past students and our current cohort being prepared for jobs and being placed in jobs,” she says, while expressing optimism that “opportunities will open up… to have more of our vulnerable clients being employed.”

“What I see the need for is more job coaching and mentoring, and that’s what we’re concentrating on to ensure that our students are ready for work. The reality is that… we still need to sensitise some more employers in the private sector to [provide] the disabled community [with] mentoring, job coaching [and] on the site job training,” she states.

Ms. Hamilton tells JIS News that personal and professional development and support services are also included in the programmes to assist students in achieving their goals.

“We offer remedial Math and English, professional and personal development, job coaching, advocacy and leadership training. We encourage parents and even employers to allow job coaches to be on site with the prospective employees from Abilities Foundation. We also immerse them in independent living skills, getting ready for work in terms of having a bank account, taking care of their finances and proper deportment and etiquette. So, it’s a holistic programme where we try to get them ready for the world of work,” she outlines.

Ms. Hamilton says mock job interviews are also conducted to help students prepare for future employment opportunities.

“In May, we will have our career week, and our students [will be] given mock interviews by industry professionals along with our Guidance Department, just to give them a feel of what it will be like, going out there and getting interviewed for a job,” the Managing Director adds.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hamilton informs JIS News that entrepreneurship is one option through which persons with disabilities can generate income and lead fulfilling lives.

“From 2018 to 2022, we had students who received entrepreneurial training. They have applied to the Jamaica Council for Persons With Disabilities and have gotten grants to start their own businesses. One student started his own furniture making establishment, and he’s now currently fully engaged,” she shares.

“We have another student who started his own T-shirt line, has his own printery and is now doing printing. Every year, we have about 10 per cent of the [student] population [who] choose to go into entrepreneurship. So that’s one of the areas that we really encourage, because it’s best to generate your own income which creates more stability for families,” she adds.

The Abilities Foundation, established on October 5, 1992, was the result of lobbying efforts by members of Jamaica’s disabled community who recognised the need for a specialised vocational education and training programme, catering to all types of disabilities.

 

BY: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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