Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Digicel launches Phone Recycling Programme for special-needs schools - Unused phones in exchange for tablets


Representatives and students of the Windsor School of Special Education and Digicel representatives, including Judine Hunter (left), programme manager, for special needs at Digicel Foundation, are all smiles at the handover of the educational pack at the recently held phone recycling launch. – Contributed

On Thursday, scores of persons gathered for the launch of an exciting Phone Recycling Programme that will see special-needs schools collecting unused mobile phones in exchange for brand-new tablets and accessories worth over US$700 each.

The recycling programme, an initiative of the Digicel Foundation, one of Jamaica’s leading supporters of the special-needs sector, was launched in partnership with Autism Ireland to improve the learning experiences of children with autism to help them reach their full potential.

At the launch, held at the Portmore Learning Centre, the foundation handed over educational packs that included an iPad, mini speakers, stylus, protective cover and screen overlay to the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID).

JAID, the oldest and largest organisation in the country providing services to persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, will be using these tablets to teach children social skills.

“Each school will be given a recycle bin for students, parents, teachers, visitors and other persons in their community to use to collect unused phones beginning June 23, 2014,” Judine Hunter, the programme manager for special needs at the Foundation, said.

“What is important about this programme is that students with special needs will not only have an opportunity to benefit from the latest technology, but they will learn about how important it is to recycle.”

The recycling programme will end on September 30. The foundation will hand over educational packs to its special-needs partners during the school year. The Digicel Foundation will also donate $100,000 to the school that collects the most phones.


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Digicel launches Phone Recycling Programme for special-needs schools - Unused phones in exchange for tablets