NYS to Introduce Empowerment Programme for the Disabled

The National Youth Service (NYS) will be introducing an Empowerment Programme, especially for youth with disabilities, at a cost of $15 million.

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said the programme will target 100 young people with intellectual disabilities and assist them with personal and professional development skills.

The Minister was speaking in the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on May 20.

“Under the programme, we will help them to identify what they’re good at and what careers would suit them best. We will also assist our youth with disabilities to participate in voluntary, cultural and sporting activities,” Miss Hanna said.

Miss Hanna noted that elements of the six-month programme were successfully piloted in 2013-14 as the Summer Empowerment Camp Project.

Meanwhile, guided by the feedback from close to 4,000 young people who participated in the islandwide ‘Express YuhSelf’ consultations, the NYS will introduce an initiative called ‘Youth Road Map to Succeed’.

“Youth Road Map to Succeed will provide a complete set of guidance materials which can be presented in a classroom environment, but will be augmented with youth friendly, online support facilities. The online resources will include résumé creation and self assessment tools, apps and links to self-development databases,” the Minister explained.

This programme will be implemented this financial year at a cost of $40 million. In addition, $20 million will be spent on the implementation of a new Enrichment Programme that will engage 500 at-risk youth in activities that focus on character building, career development, volunteerism and cultural awareness.