Education
Students with Disabilities Make History Receiving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze Standard through Inclusion Programme
Irving Wilson School students with disabilities achieve Bronze standard in Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, part of inclusive Inclusion Programme with other schools. DEIA and DHP collaboration praised for empowering and transforming students.
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Originally published by nationnews.com (opens in new tab)
Students of Irving Wilson School made history when they became the first cohort of persons with disabilities to be awarded the Bronze standard of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
They did so after participating in the Inclusion Programme with students of other secondary schools.
The Inclusion Programme is a collaborative project between the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DEIA) Barbados and The Deaf Heart Project (DHP).
In a statement, Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Barbados Council Stephen Smith and Founder and Chairperson of The Deaf Heart Project (DHP) Ché Greenidge expressed their delight in the students’ achievements.
“We celebrate the remarkable accomplishments and achievements of this extraordinary group of young people and the promise that it has for them going forward.
“The award is not easy and may include several hardships, but in the end, you learn to adapt and overcome. This equips young people to go out into the world and accomplish more, with a greater sense of self-confidence and sure-footedness,” Smith said.
He made those comments after Silver and Bronze Awards were presented to the students during a ceremony last month at Harrison College.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Barbados, Registered Charity No. 3, is part of a global framework for non-formal education and learning, which challenges young people to dream big, celebrate their achievements and make a difference in their world.
Meanwhile, Greenidge said the programme set a new standard for inclusivity, empowerment and achievement.
“What began as a programme for deaf students grew to include participants who are autistic and those with low vision. This was not a simple expansion – it was a transformation, reflecting what true inclusion looks like: understanding each student’s needs and customising the programme every step of the way.
“The journey was not easy. It challenged all of us to dig deeper – emotionally, physically, and mentally. Together, we taught each other the essence of inclusion – how to meet challenges not with resistance but with creativity and compassion.” Greenidge said.
The Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited’s ‘Power to Make a Difference’ programme, funded by the Inclusion Programme.
Massy Stores (Barbados) Limited and Regus Barbados offered support.
