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Last week five special needs schools across Trinidad opened the doors to their new Digicel Foundation Innovation Labs – state-of-the-art technology labs with assistive devices.
A media release said, these innovation labs will enable technology access and digital citizenship for persons with disabilities, allowing them more choice, control and independence in their everyday lives.
[caption id="attachment_1147377" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rocking their socks for World Down Syndrome Day: Anderson Le Barrie, School Supervisor I, Victoria West; left; Cindyann Currency, head of operations, Digicel Foundation; Samiya De Bruin, board director, Lady Hochoy Centres; Penny Gomez, CEO, Digicel Foundation; and Evelyn Ohonba, principal, Lady Hochoy Gasparillo, at the launch of the Digicel Foundation Innovation Labs.-[/caption]
The five schools – The Lady Hochoy School Gasparillo, Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Palmeras Learning Centre, The School for the Blind, and The National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) – held a joint launch event at the School for the Blind in Arouca on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21.
Each school has been equipped with desktop computers, laptops and printers, large print keyboards and monitors, virtual reality technology, smartboards, smart TVs and various assistive accessories.
[caption id="attachment_1147378" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Principal of School for the Blind Roma Maraj guides this student on how to use the smartboard. -[/caption]
Penny Gomez, CEO of the Digicel Foundation said, “Each Innovation Lab has been specifically designed to accommodate and support the technology and learning needs within the school – meaning, what they asked for, they got, in terms of adaptive technology and assistive accessories to help improve opportunities for their students.”
Principal Roma Maraj of the School for the Blind expressed enthusiasm that “this new technology will benefit our students tremendously. We’re excited to explore the digital world with them and thankful to Digicel Foundation for making this opportunity available to our school.”
[caption id="attachment_1147379" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The School for the Blind Choir performs a song at the launch of the 2025 Digicel Foundation Innovation Labs on March 21. -[/caption]
“To achieve maximum effect and success, these labs need high-powered, reliable, and fast connectivity to the world wide web,” said Digicel Plus general manager Mark McGrath at the launch. “All five Innovation Labs will be powered by high-speed broadband internet connectivity sponsored by Digicel Plus. Each annual package is valued at approximately $10,000. That’s an investment of $50,000 for the five being launched today.”
To date, the Digicel Foundation has installed 15 Innovation labs at special schools in Trinidad and Tobago at an investment of over $1.4 million in technology devices and minor upgrades, said the release.
The foundation has committed to further expanding the Innovation Labs programme by opening another call for applications in 2025, ensuring equal access to technology and participation in the digital world remain at the forefront of special needs education in TT.
 
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