Welcome to
CLARENDON GROUP FOR THE DISABLED
"Helping To Discover Abilities."
About us
Established in 1988, we are a non-profit organization for the rehabilitation of disabled children.
We focus on children from 1-18 years of age. Our focus is their rehabilitation and integration into society.
Vision Statement
To be the island’s most client-centric organization, where independence and involvement in family and community life is promoted through education.
Mission Statement
CGD is committed to the rehabilitation and integration of children with disabilities into their communities, by educating and empowering care-givers to engage techniques that will enable clients to realize their full potential accessing all available resources.
Clarendon Group for the Disabled is a non-profit organization that seeks to assist in the rehabilitation of children with special needs in the parish of Clarendon. Our operation was established in April 1988.
We currently serve approximately 120 children with various disabilities ranging from severe to moderate cases. These include single or multiple handicaps or combined disabilities such as:
• Developmental delays
• Wide range of physical disabilities
• Hearing impairments
• Intellectually challenged/Slow Learners
• Mental Retardation
• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Speech Impairment
• Epileptic Disorders
NB. CGD does not serve the mentally ill.
The services of the organization includes early stimulation programme for children at risk of developing slowly; assessment to identify the abilities and disabilities of children; group and individual parent counselling and referrals to other agencies.
In addition, there is an aggressive public education programme geared to making persons aware of causes, prevention and integration of those with disabilities.
The work we do is carried out by Community Rehabilitation Therapists (CRT) specially trained and located in different areas of the parish of Clarendon. They visit the homes on a day to day basis conducting rehabilitation exercises and also providing support and advice to the families as well as the children.
The matter of disability is a case of major concern in our society and our operations have reaped many successes. Our clients have achieved some level of independence; families have been able to surpass the feeling of stigmatization, children have been enrolled into special education programmes or register in the regular school system.
We have advocated for economic empowerment for these families over the years with much success. CGD’s existence is integral as our sensitization programmes have made parents and guardians know that help is available for their children.
Parents/Care-givers involvement is integral as we are not able to visit on a regular basis. CRT’s ensure that parents/care-givers are following the program plans, and teach them simple methods of rehabilitation for each child. Follow-ups are done with the class/form teachers, guidance counsellors and principals, to ensure those registered in schools are making progress. CRTs also sit with the children in the classroom and provide assistance where possible.
CGD serves children between the ages of one & eighteen years old, but continue to give support to previous clients who may need care, but have exceeded the age limit. Services are made possible through the assistance of the Ministry of Education and Youth, (MoEY) and other benevolent citizens and organizations.
