Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
Joseph Pereira, deputy principal at the University of the West Indies, is scheduled to address the workshop. - contributed
MATHEMATICS CONSULTANT Susan Osterhaus has arrived in Jamaica to help in the education of blind and visually impaired persons.
Ms. Osterhaus will spend the next two days presenting to an inclusive education workshop, 'Meeting the Challenges Facing Persons with Disabilities,' which will be held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Lions Resource Centre for students with Special Needs at the Mona campus.
The workshop starts today and, according to chair of the committee for students with disabilities at UWI, Peter O'Sullivan, it aims, among other things, to "sensitise persons in decision making positions, both at the tertiary level and the secondary level, as to the special needs of students in the educational system."
According to Mr. O'Sullivan, blind and visually impaired students have a problem with mathematics and the hearing impaired have problems with English.
"If they are going to be able to contribute meaningfully to our society, (we) must put in place proper programmes and policies to help in their educational pursuits," Mr. O'Sullivan told The Gleaner.
Here to help
Meanwhile, Ms. Osterhaus, who has been teaching mathematics at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin, Texas, for 30 years, said she was excited about the workshop.
"This is something I enjoy doing. I am here to help in whatever way I can and I plan to learn something too," she told The Gleaner.
Ms. Osterhaus holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degree in mathematics education, and certifications in secondary math, English, and teaching the visually impaired from the University of Texas at Austin.
Also down to address the workshop are Lola Marson, president of the Caribbean Council for the Blind; Joseph Pereira, deputy principal at UWI Mona and Hixwell Douglas, education officer in the Ministry of Education.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com
