Times of the Islands Spring 2020

campaign that would continue spreading the message
of acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities
throughout the Islands. “People with disabilities have
many of the same dreams as others, including being part
of their communities, receiving special services, being
respected and even having a job,” said Mr. Rich. The proposed
campaign would emphasize the message that “all
people are important, all people are valued, all people
contribute to the community and this includes people
with disabilities,” he added.
The staff at the SNAP Centre has been working to
spread that message by taking their students on field
trips throughout the Islands. Participation in the community
has helped the special needs children build
self-confidence and independence, and they have often
surprised people with their accomplishments, said Betty-
Ann Been, Director of the Special Needs Unit, Ministry
of Health. “Our motto is inclusion matters. We focus on
independence, early intervention, development of life
skills and potential employment opportunities.”
The staff encourage parents to accompany them on
field trips, because it gives them the opportunity to see
how well their children can handle themselves in public,
Ms. Been said. Bringing children to different locations
throughout the Islands also helps people to start thinking
differently about those with disabilities and what they can
accomplish with their lives.
The centre has been successful in having some children
transition into the regular school system a couple
of days a week with additional teacher support. Officials
with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education
have a strong working relationship and share information
that is critical to identify, diagnose and help children with
special needs, said Ms. Been.
Some young adults who have completed their education
and life skills training at the SNAP Centre program
have found employment, including in the child care and
landscaping fields. That effort was helped by the centre’s
on-site gardening program, where children have been
learning how to grow and market produce.
The success of that program can be attributed in large
part to the Seven Stars Community Foundation, which
“adopted” the SNAP Centre as its main cause, providing
continual support for the teachers and students “that has
been critical to our operation,” said Ms. Been.
The Community Foundation was started six years ago
and considers the SNAP Centre as its main area of focus
on Providenciales, said Paul Jobling, Seven Stars Resort,
Grace Bay. “The foundation has raised over $150,000 to
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Times of the Islands Spring 2020 59