Ministry of Social Development and Family Services congratulates Quota International TT on Scholarship Initiative

A small but intimate crowd, consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, the directors and staff of non-government organizations, teachers, parents and students, gathered on Wednesday August 7^th, 2019 at the RBC Royal Bank Hospitality Suite in St. Clair. The occasion was Quota International of Trinidad and Tobago’s inaugural Educational Scholarship Awards Distribution Ceremony. The event, which now forms part of a roster of foundational activities for the host organisation, aims to protect and enhance the rights and dignity of the deaf and hard of hearing, by increasing their accessibility and opportunities for higher learning.

Commenting on what she termed a “significant paradigm shift in inclusive education locally,” President of Quota International of Trinidad and Tobago, Michelle Low Chew Tung, noted that she was heartened to see the focus that was finally being placed on closing the gap of inclusivity for the deaf and hard of hearing, locally. She noted that thus far, 2019 has proven to be impactful in this regard, due to the significant partnerships and associations that continue to be developed. As an example, she cited Quota TT’s on-going partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Association for the Hearing Impaired (TTAHI). To date, the partnership has successfully facilitated the growth and continuity of the National Protect Your Hearing Campaign, which advocates for hearing loss awareness and its prevention, particularly amongst youth populations. Together, both organisations have also successfully hosted sign language literacy workshops, as well as, the annual Signing Santa Initiative. TTAHI is a statutory body under the remit of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.

Wednesday’s ceremony focused on the distribution of SEA awards and bursaries to three outstanding students Britney Henry, Jaheim Richards and Mandy Bailey. The students will commence their first year of studies at El Dorado East Secondary and South East Port-of-Spain Secondary, respectively, from September.