1. Special Education in Jamaica
Presented by Sharon Anderson-Morgan

2. Historical Framework
Education for children with disabilities was introduced by parents.
This initiative later attracted interest groups, which resulted in the formation of non-government organizations (NGOs).
In 1974, the government agreed to assume responsibility for the recurrent cost of the schools
Special Education was intiated by parents out of concern for their own children who had special needs. These parents sought help from persons in other parts of the world who had already established programmes. The initiatives of parents attracted other persons in the wider society and this led to the formation of various groups and organizations advocating for the rights of persons with special needs.

3. Historical Framework (contd.)
organisations would continue to own and operate the schools.
agreement between the Government of Jamaica and the Dutch Government in 1975 led to establishment of a formal programme
Government formed the Mico C.A.R.E. Centre in Kingston in 1981 to evaluate and assess the needs of those requiring special education.
These advocacy groups then lobbied the government for the establishment of special school. This led to an agreement between the GOJ and the Dutch government. Through this agreement funding was provided for the establishment of units an assessment centre and teacher training. The government also took over the financial responsibilities of the schools which were established by the various umbrella groups. The organisations continue to own and operate the schools but the government pays the staff and provides fanancial and supervisory support.

4. Jamaica Council for Persons with Disability
Government Agency responsible for rehabilitations, vocational training and placement of persons with disabilities in Jamaica.
The government also established a governing body to tie all the various groups and organisations together.

5. Ministry of Education Special Education Unit
The Unit supervises Special Education schools, units and programmes islandwide.
Supervision and training of resource teachers in regular schools
In service training for teachers
Assistance in establishing Resource Room in regular schools – Primary and High.
Additionally a Special Education Unit was established in the Ministry of Education, in January At present there are seven education officers attached to the unit including one with primary responsibility for children who are blind, and another for the deaf. The various umbrella groups therefore, continue to operate their schools under the supervision of the MOE.

6. Jamaica Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
a non-governmental organisation,
policy of the J.A.C.L.D. is to keep the children requiring special education within the mainstream of the regular school.
2 Centres (Kingston and Mandeville)
One of these groups is the JACLD which has primary responsibility for children with LD. Although most of these students remain in the mainstream services are provided for short term pull-out programmes. There are two centres, one in Mandeville and the other in Kingston.

7. JAMAICA ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF
Operates four schools and four units
Provides hearing assessment & Rehabilitation services
Provides counselling and support services
The JAD has the central body responsible for meeting the needs of the Deaf. It operates four schools and four units. It also provides hearing assessment and rehabilitation as well as training , support and advocacy. The social services department also provides interpreting services. Three independent schools continue to operate with funding from various missions abroad.

8. Jamaica Christian School for the deaf
Independent School located in Eden St James
a residential school
a ministry of American Ministries to the Deaf (AMD).
There is also the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf

9. Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf
Independent Group of Schools
Three locations (Kingston, Mandeville, Montego Bay)
Operated by interdenominational religious groups
And the Maranatha School for the deaf in top hill st elizabeth.

10. Maranatha School for the Deaf
Independent School
Located in Top Hill, St Elizabeth
Owned and operated by the Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions
There is a strong deaf community in this area.

11. Randolph Lopez School of Hope operates 14 satellites
Windsor School of Special Education with 3 satellites
Edgehill School of Special Education with 2 satellites
Woodlawn School of Special Education with  Satellite School -  Santa Cruz Learning Centre
Llandilo School of Special Education with satellites in Montego Bay, Lucea and Savannalamar
The JAMR is responsible for persons with MR and other developmental disabilities. It operates a total of 29 facilities across the island. The association has also developed a curriculum specific to the needs of these learners. The special schools cater to children and youth with moderate to profound disabilities between the ages of four to twenty-one.

12. Salvation Army School for the Blind and visually Impaired
The only institution which caters to students who are blind or visually impaired.
It runs a regular academic programme which includes a deaf and blind unit.
In the Infant Department, sighted children are integrated with the visually impaired ones.
students who are successful in the National Assessment Examination move on to the secondary school system.
The Salvation Army school for the blind is the only school for the blind in jamaica. The school is residential with an enrolment of approx. 110 students from all over the island. Students who perform well in the National Assessment (GSAT) are integrated at the secondary level in various traditional high schools in Kingston. The school uses the regular curriculum and provides assistive technology to support the needs of learners. There is however a challenge with getting local and regionally published texts in braille.

13. Towards Inclusive Education
Units: six special units attached to regular primary and all-age schools
Over 30 Resource Rooms across the island
The Hope Valley Experimental School offers education to non-disabled and disabled children and is the only institution that practices full integration.
Students who are blind integrated in regular high schools
Unit for the Deaf attached to Excelsior Primary
Units in private Preparatory Schools
Despite the operation of separate special schools, there are efforts to integrate students with special needs into the mainstream. Consequently the ministry operates six units in regular primary schools, and over 30 resource rooms. There is the Hope Valley experimental school; and a resource centre in Portmore St Catherine which provides services for children in neighboring schools in addition to being a school itself.

14. Teacher Training Diploma in Special Education
SSTC
MICO COLLEGE
Bachelor in Special Education
UWI
Western Carolina
Masters in Special Education
Nova South Eastern
Teacher training is provide through various local and off-shore institutions.

15. Needs and Challenges Assessment Services Accessibility
Teacher Preparation
Teacher Support
Resources
Discrimination

16. In Closing We have come a long way….. still a long way to go.
THANK YOU!
QUESTIONS ??????
We have come a long way……. The National Disability Act was recently presented in parliament and we await the implications as this will give sanction to the already existing National Policy. ……..and still have a long way to go. Thank You. Are there any questions.