Pauline Ranns (left) and Vinnette Green catch up on the latest news on the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, before the start of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's economic empowerment seminar for persons with disabilities at the ministry's North Street office yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

A grant for disabled individuals from the Government has definitely helped Wilton Edwards, a 39-year-old individual from Rollington Town, Kingston, in developing his graphics design business.

Edwards was among several disabled recipients present at an economic empowerment seminar held by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in collaboration with Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities at the ministry's conference room yesterday.

Edwards, who is wheelchair-mobile, was given $57,000 in April, which he used to purchase a computer for his business.

He expressed gratitude for the equipment, which he says has changed his life.

Very thankful

"I am very thankful for the help because it has helped me to be self-reliant and I am now able to execute more jobs at better quality," he said.

He added that he is elated that the Government has extended a helping hand to the group that is often ignored.

"Helping us is a good move by the Government as we have been looking forward to something like this ever so long," he said.

Edwards also said the seminar, which had various financial institutions making presentations on how to manage finances, would help him to manage the funds from his business and keep the business productive.

Speaking at the seminar, minister of state in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Andrew Gallimore, said persons with disabilities have been fighting an uphill battle in the country for a long time. He said he understood there would be challenges but that the disabled should not give up.

Over a two-year period, the Government allocated $20 million towards the economic empowerment grant fund, which provides financial assistance to many of the 300,000 disabled individuals in Jamaica.