Dominica’s differently-abled student makes history, passes CSEC exam

Dominica’s differently-abled student has made history by attempting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. Ricky Barry who is 18 years old and is speech and hearing impaired studies at the Castle Bruce Secondary School (CBSS) and hails from Mahault River in the Kalinago Territory.

Being a hearing and speech impaired student, participating in CSEC examination has only been possible with the assistance of teacher and language interpreter Abrahim Fontaine.

It is astonishing that despite being differently-abled, the child has achieved a good result in the examination by passing five of the six subjects he attempted at the CSEC examination.

Barry’s teacher told that Barry has fluency in American Sign Language and he also intelligent in other subjects such as Agricultural Science, Electronic Documentation Preparation and Management, Integrated Science, Mathematics, and Physical Education.

Barry’s language interpreter Fontaine also said that with proper care and education students like Barry can achieve their goals and be self-dependent. He told that Barry was never mistreated by his schoolmates or classmates, in fact, he is loved by all in the school.

Abrahim Fontaine who is a language interpreter encouraged other students like Barry to move forward with their lives and make education a way to be successful and self-dependent.

He said, “People with special needs requires to give themselves a chance to develop themselves professionally and they are no different they can work and perform their duties just like any other person in the society.

Fontaine wants Barry to get acknowledged by the Ministry of Education which special needs such a by providing him with a language specialist to have a smooth journey throughout his high school.