A total of 450 persons who are living with disabilities, particularly those who are blind and visually impaired, will soon be taught independent living skills, as a partnership between the Guyana Council of Organization for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) and ExxonMobil Guyana continues to blossom.

Phase 5 of the Independent Living Skills Programme was launched today.

The new phase is targeting persons with disabilities, including those who are blind and visually impaired, in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10. 

Through the programme, the persons will be provided with rehabilitation counseling, assisted technology training, job preparedness training and small business management training.

Additionally, various assistance and mobility aids will be distributed to the beneficiaries through the programme. 

At the launch at Exxon’s Ogle Head Office on Wednesday, GCOPD Programme Manager, Ganesh Singh said the participants will benefit from much needed training and guidance.

“A young person growing up with a disability not being aware of what the opportunities are out there for them, they probably leaving a special education needs school, they don’t know what career path they can travel. Through this programme, they can benefit from guidance counseling, career guidance, they can also benefit from the actual training,” he said. 

Singh said the programme dates back to 2022, and builds on an Orientation on Mobility Programme that was launched with support from Exxon.

That programme, he explained, helped persons who are blind and visually impaired acquire skills to improve their mobility and independence. The programme has evolved over the years, and according to Singh, the benefits are tremendous.

“Since 2022 with support from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited we started an Orientation on Mobility Programme to equip persons who are blind and visually impaired with independent living skills to facilitate them living independent lives. This includes assistive technology training, that is teaching them how to use smart phones, using a laptop with screen reading software, using the white cane, navigating their homes or the built environment, completing simple chores and even when it comes to grooming and personal hygiene,” Singh said.

The GCOPD Programme Manager said individuals who benefited from the programme later participated in the organization’s remedial education programme and or Caribbean Examination Council programmes.

He said to date, more than 1,500 persons have been directly impacted, with a number of them gaining employment, while others have established their own businesses.

ExxonMobil Guyana Socioeconomic Manager, Samantha Carlson, said the oil giant is pleased to join GCOPD to launch Phase 5 of the Independent Living Skills Programme.

“At ExxonMobil Guyana we firmly believe that development must be inclusive – that every individual regardless of their ability should have access to opportunities that enable them to thrive, contribute meaningfully and live independently, and today’s event is a powerful reflection of that commitment,” Carlson said.

Carlson said for the last four years, Exxon’s partnership with GCOPD centered on the Orientation on Mobility Programme, and Exxon is proud of the progress made, and the lives changed for the better. This the 5^th phase of the Independent Living Skills Programme, she said, will build on the progress made.

 “The transition to the broader Independent Living Skills Programme reflects a deeper understanding of the diverse needs within the disability community. It is a forward looking step that aims to equip all persons with disabilities with the practical skills needed for daily living, employment and entrepreneurship, which is needed across Guyana. This initiative goes beyond training. It is about building confidence, fostering independence, and unlocking potential, Carlson said.

She said through access to assistive technologies, mobility training, job readiness support, small business development and rehabilitation counseling, participants will be empowered to not only navigate their environment more effectively but also to actively contribute to their communities and national development.

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