The Leonard Cheshire Disability Group hosted a two- day workshop aimed at building capacity among young disabled persons. The workshop, held at Red House, Kingston under the theme: “ Capacity Building for Youth with Disabilities”, began on Friday and concluded Saturday.
At Friday’s proceedings, discussions were held on the young people’s expectations of such a group, difficulties that may arise in such a group, conflict management and resolution, and public speaking.
Secretary of the group, Rennata Ifill, told Guyana Times that the main aim of the workshop is to empower young disabled persons and make them more self- confident. “We want to teach them not only to advocate, but also how to socialise with each other,” she said.
She added that the group members also had the opportunity to discuss their roles and responsibilities in the group, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and this was very effectively, since the members were able to disclose their thoughts and ideas on a number of issues.
She pointed out that they also discussed an action plan on the way forward for the group. It was noted that there are plans to establish similar groups in the different regions, so that persons living with disabilities throughout the country will benefit from the various training programmes and interactive sessions that are usually hosted.
“We can’t always go to these regions, so we are hoping to set up subgroups in all the regions, and have effective persons heading those groups, so that all can benefit from them,” she added.
The group currently has 30 members, and Ifill said that they are hoping to increase that number. She said that they have held successful events in the past in order to gain new members. These events included retreats, camps, and numerous seminars and workshops.
Ifill called on persons living with disabilities to join their group, and in so doing have a chance to socialise and work with persons of similar circumstances, in an effort to recognise their full potential.
