Table of Contents

 

What does NCPD stand for?

National Centre for Persons with Disabilities

 

What are the Objectives of the Centre?

NCPD strongly believes that every individual should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefit of full and equal participation in society. Registered under the Companies Act of Trinidad and Tobago in May 1984 as a Company Limited by Guarantee, the Centre committed to the following corporate objectives:

1. To collaborate with Government and other Stakeholders to provide persons with disabilities with comprehensive rehabilitation programmes needed to become job ready and employable in today's competitive labour market.

2. To improve and strengthen the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Programme / Services.

3.To create partnership with government and private sector toward equal opportunities for disabled persons.

4. To work towards the development, advancement, welfare and job security of its employees.

5. To foster a positive image of persons with disabilities and to promote their acceptance by employers and society at large.

6. To provide high quality goods and services through commitment to excellence.

7. To strengthen the business units as an integrated employee base to increase productivity.

8. To develop the business units to such a level that they can contribute to the overheads of the organisation.

9. To develop public education Programmes that will facilitate and enhance the Mission of the Organisation.

10. To ensure good Corporate Governance.

 

  How is the Centre funded?

The Centre's main source of revenue is the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from which it receives an annual subvention. Other funds are sourced from income generating activities, corporate sponsorship, donors and through fund-raising activities.

 

  What is the History behind the Centre?

NCPD, formerly San Fernando Rehabilitation Centre (SFRC) is a private, non-profit organization involved in the development and integration of persons with disabilities into the wider community.

There have been many changes to the organization from a modest beginning in 1964 with the intake of seven (7) individuals with disabilities, then called rehabilitees, who were taught to repair soft drink cases.

TIME LINE

1964    

The Centre was formally established on December 5th, 1964 as a branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Society of the Rehabilitation of the Disabled. The Government provided lands at 7-21 New Street, San Fernando for the construction of a Rehabilitation Centre and playing field while the International Labour Organization (ILO) provided technical assistance.

1965 - 1983    

Between 1965 - 1983 a sheltered environment providing informal training in garment construction, photography, printing, bookbinding and woodwork existed. Physiotherapy was a service offered to individuals of the Centre but was discontinued in the early eighties.

1983    

In 1983, the Centre began a process of institutional reorganization and in this regard sought funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the first of its kind in the Bank's history to an NGO catering to disabled persons under its small window projects.

1984    

NCPD was legally constituted as an autonomous body under the Companies Ordinance Chapter 31 No. 1 (Limited by Guarantee) on May 10th 1984 and continued with passage of the new Companies Act of Trinidad & Tobago 1995.

1991    

In 1991, the expansion and upgraded facilities created opportunities for the enrollment of sixty disabled persons, a vocational assessment unit, the first in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean, structured Programmes certified by Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Education's National Examination Council (NEC), a light manufacturing unit and a pilot credit Programme to enable trained disabled persons to access credit to start a business.

1994    

In 1994, a name change from SFRC to NCPD was registered to convey the national focus of the organization as well as its target population (disabled persons).

1995-2005

Presently the Centre has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty individuals covering persons with physical, visual, developmental and learning disabilities, and hearing and speech impairments between the ages of 15 - 45 years. The Centre's trainees/ clients are referred from special schools, community / social workers, medical practitioners and other social service agencies. Trainees / client are exposed to an expanded Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Programme.

 

Some of the Centre's Accomplishments

The Centre has over the years of its existence, experienced many achievements of note. It has been the vanguard of advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. The following are some examples:

Proposals submitted to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) resulted in the first Caribbean Regional Technical Meeting on National Disability Policy and Legislation, held in Port of Spain in March of 1994. This meeting was attended by more than one hundred representatives of Governments, Employees and Workers' Organisation and Organisations of and for Persons with Disabilities.

Promoted the Ratification of ILO Convention 159, concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons. Trinidad and Tobago holds the distinction of being the only country in the Caribbean to have ratified this Convention.

Made representations to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago following the above- mentioned Meeting to clearly define a Ministry that would be exclusively responsible for dealing with matters and issues of concern to the Disabled Community. These representations resulted in the identification of the Ministry of Social and Community Development as the Ministry responsible for disability matters.

Played a major role in the development of the Draft National Policy Statement on Disability in Trinidad and Tobago

Conducted Out-reach Programmes both locally and regionally. The Centre has assisted, and continues to assist similar organizations both locally and regionally by providing training and attachments.

Worked closely with the Organisation of American states (OAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the promotion of equalization of opportunities of persons with disabilities in the region. These activities included public awareness, training of trainers and workshops.

 

How do I place an order?

To place an order at the Centre simply:

  • Call the Centre's Production Manager at (868) 652-4880
  • Or E-mail the Production Manager at ncpd1@hotmail.com

 

After placing an order, how long do I have to wait for delivery?

Once an order has been confirmed and production has begun, delivery time for each department differs according to the type of order, quantity and if there are special requirements.   

 

Does the Centre provide transportation?

NCPD has a pick-up and delivery service.  Items for refurbishing can be picked up at your home and delivered to you when completed.  Items manufactured at the Centre can also delivered when completed.  This service, however, comes at an additional cost.