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 - http://www.storyincorporated.com

Your Source of Motivation

---

Medicade Scam; Worse than You Think

You are not going to believe what is going on... Read More

A Journey Through History

History repeats itself, goes the cliche. It does so, perhaps,... Read More

North Korea and Diplomatic Solutions; Random Thoughts Part III

Sizing up North Korea is important for a war there.... Read More

Africa?s Prosperity Goals: A Cultural Perspective

Commission for Africa (CFA), one is made to understand is... Read More

Business: ?Where Is America Headed To??, New York Millionaire Wonders

Hello! Happy new year. May you live a long healthy... Read More

Cops Want To Increase Marijuana Punishments?

Leave it to the Columbia City Police Officers Association in... Read More

Emminent Domain May Hit Close to Home

IN A DAY AND AGE where one voice screaming among... Read More

Asking For Proof in the Economic Pudding

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people. Ask an... Read More

Sweet Lies, The Aspartame Issue

Aspartame activists are constantly being attacked because all data are... Read More

Population and Transportation in the Modern Era of International Terrorism

It is important as populations expand to work on the... Read More

Victims of Child Support

"Similar to Medieval Inquisitions, judges have been given the authority,... Read More

A Need to Review Abortion Laws In Belgium

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of writing this article is to encourage the... Read More

De-Population

Judgment and detective work requires thinking about possibilities. One of... Read More

Increasing Evaporation in Ocean to Defeat Droughts

One way to increase evaporation in the ocean might be... Read More

Ifs and VATs of Taxation in Macedonia - Should VAT be Applied in Macedonia?

To be justified, taxes should satisfy a few conditions:Above all,... Read More

The Reconstruction of Europe

The Second World War was the continuation of World War... Read More

So How Far Have We Come? Here are some of the 2001 Anti Terrorist Projects

An article in Information Week in January 14, 2002 discussed... Read More

TABOR: The Growing Taxpayer Bill of Rights Movement and Economic Incentives for Industry

A governing.com report blast one of the major grassroots initiatives... Read More

Corruption and Transparency

I. The FactsJust days before a much-awaited donor conference, the... Read More

The Ugly American Returns!

Originally published in 1958, "The Ugly American" (Lederer & Burdick)... Read More

How Does the US Congress Really Work?

Many people do not understand politics very well. They often... Read More

History of the Media, Radio, and Television

When were the forms of media created? When did advertising... Read More

Pilot-Less and High Speed Train Transportation Systems; Better Strategy Needed

We recently saw another ferry accident, this one in NY... Read More

Carl Rove and the Case of Sour Grapes

The Carl Rove issue is definitely interesting and distracting. The... Read More

Confession of a King

Rufus King: (Said to be the fifth most important person... Read More

An Environmental Voting Guide for US State Elections

In these times when states are suffering extreme downward pressure... Read More

Take Marijuana Off the DEAs Docket

Quit paying the DEA to chase marijuana. We could save... Read More

US Government Owes Martha Stewart 1 Billion Dollars

The prosecutors in the Martha Stewart Case used testimony from... Read More

Does Your Farm Stink? The EPA Wants to Find Out

Farmers will eventually be facing federal regulations involving air emissions... Read More

CBM?s Indo-Pak Peace Process

Will a bus running across the borders bring cordial relations... Read More

The Internet Right ? Are They Doing It Right

It looks overall like the liberals are advocating for no... Read More

Questioning Both Sides of the GM Crop Debate

One question not addressed in GM Crops and Monsanto Terminator... Read More

Let me throw out a random thought on Homeland Security Leadership Structure

Streamlining Homeland Security with a Free market flair? An idea... Read More