The tears in her eyes said it all. Second year student in the Department of Government at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Ms. Irma Bartley, was simply overcome with emotion when Mona Principal, Professor Gordon Shirley, presented her with a motorized chair to replace the hand-propelled wheel chair which she had been using to make her way around the campus. Ms. Bartley, who is pursuing a degree in International Relations in the Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences, was virtually speechless with joy at the brief presentation ceremony which was held on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at the Annex to the Senate Building on the Mona Campus.

Campus Registrar, Dr. Camille Bell Hutchinson, told those present that the donation had been initiated by Lecturer in the Department of Government, Mrs. Lisa Vasciannie, who had noticed the difficulty that Ms. Bartley was having as she navigated the Campus, and approached the Principal for assistance. Her request put in train an effort which involved Deputy Principal, Mr. Joseph Pereira, former Campus Registrar, Mr. G.E.A. Falloon, and Head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, who then approached Food for the Poor.

Director of Health Care, at Food for the Poor, Ms Susan Moore, said her organization had reacted swiftly to the request from the Campus, as it was committed to helping whenever possible. She said the motorized chair had special features which made it easier for users to manoeuvre than earlier models. In addition, a technician had been identified to assist Ms. Bartley in customizing the chair to her specific needs.

In making the presentation to Ms. Bartley, Professor Shirley emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring that every student who has a motor disability should be provided with the necessary equipment to facilitate movement around the Mona Campus. He said that Mona prided itself on its level of student centredness which included the provision of facilities for students with special needs, in keeping with its mandate to advance opportunities for persons with visual, hearing or physical impairment. He added that the effort to secure the motorized chair reflected the team approach which the UWI adopted in searching for solutions to various challenges.

Ms. Bartley expressed her sincere appreciation for the donation which she noted would make a tremendous difference to her life and her ability to access various services at Mona.

Members of the University team which had facilitated the donation attended the ceremony along with Chair of the Committee for Students with Disabilities, Mr. Peter O’Sullivan.