Home
>
Political
>
Cuba: Havana the Good

Cuba: Havana the Good

When North Americans discuss Cuba, they always focus the intense poverty of Cuba. I hope to provide my readers with insights into the various social programs available for the Cuban population, specifically for people with disabilities. I base this article on my experiences during my attendance at the conference against the Free Trade Agreement of the America's and various social projects I visited around the city. The conference focused on issues regarding anti-poverty in South America, such as combating illiteracy, and implementing programs for economic development. During my two-week visit to Cuba, I observed first-hand the positive advancements made despite the poverty in Cuba.

I will skip the details of the conference against the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, due to its political content. I want to focus this article on the various free and accessible social and educational institutions. The entire population can access educational programs via televisions present in every home. Information Technology colleges provide buses equipped with computers that travel around the country providing computer access and education to those living in rural communities. Of all the programs discussed during my visit, my focus remained on the programs available for the disabled.

One institution, which shared my focus, is The School for the Special Needs. The government requires the School for the Special Needs to be able to provide the same education proficiency as available in regular schools. Children who attend the school, however, range in physical and cognitive disabilities from moderate to severe. The school provides an opportunity for academically capable students to learn the skills necessary to promote their integration into the regular schools and eventual, post-secondary education. Children with more severe disabilities gain access to academic training, which the school models to their capabilities.

The school also provides various non-academic programs to insure equal opportunity in the workforce, such as the "Workship program". Students who enter into this program must be sixteen years of age and have completed the courses at the academic level. They can be trained in the fields of handicraft, music, hospitality and more.

The director of the school informed me that employment discrimination based on disability only existed to a minimal degree because the society treats the disabled as a part of the Cuban collective. People with disabilities have equal access to employment, transportation and education. One example would be the tradition of the government-owned vehicles, which provides transportation for any citizen if needed. I believe people with disabilities would appreciate guaranteed transportation to their place of employment.

We also visited The School of Social Work, which also accommodates persons with disabilities. The school trains students to assist those suffering from poverty, abuse or imprisoned. The program places students with a family, where the student learns the specific needs and dynamics of his or her counterpart. The belief of the school and the program is that each family should receive the individual attention for the duration necessary.

The program also aids prisoners by providing education and practical employment or other academic training during their sentence. No society is perfect. Cuban society has problems including illiteracy, poverty, and a shortage of materials. Cuba, however, has attempted to rectify these situations with the various programs I have outlined in the article above.

About the Author

Kelly Green is the author of "Hill of Hope" - a book written to show the dynamic and some times complicated relationship between family members.

novels - novels

Your Source of Motivation

shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..

In The News:

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.

Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.

If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.

Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.

The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.

Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.

The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.

Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.

The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.

The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Your Apple Music settings may be revealing to your contacts what you're listening to. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the process to change those settings.

Learn how to secure social media accounts, implement legacy contacts, and create a digital estate plan to protect your online assets from 'ghost hackers' after your death.

A ported phone number scam is leading to more people having their identities stolen by sophisticated scammers. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson tells you what you need to know.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast marine debris vortex, is being tackled by The Ocean Cleanup’s innovative technologies. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Discover easy solutions to tame autocorrect frustration on iOS and Android devices. Turn off, customize and add personal touches to your typing experience.

Cuba: Havana the Good

Political