Assistive Technology
Charting new horizons for persons with disabilities.

I will never forget the first time my husband, Patrick Lafayette, read a text message for himself.
It was about nine years ago and he was over the moon that he had done this all by himself. I too couldn’t help feeling excited because I knew how independent it made him and how important his independence was to him.
Another part of me at the same time was reflecting on how much I – a sighted person – took for granted. Checking a text message was par for the course. Yet for someone who is blind like Patrick, before technology like Siri and mobile speak, it would have meant total dependence on family members and friends to check messages for them.

Patrick has since shared his technological discoveries with blind persons in Jamaica, the Caribbean and internationally. Starting with computer software such as Job Access with Speech (JAWS) he showed many blind persons a whole new world of computing. He always ensures that he is on the cutting edge of technologies that help blind persons become more independent and skillful.
For him, the iPhone was made for persons who are blind and he has a ball with Siri and all the other apps that come with the phone. So much so that he was one of the persons featured by Apple in their recent campaign on how the iPhone is used.
Check it out here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpYUnd64BUM

prompting emcee Terri-Karelle to hail him as “one of the greatest opera singers to come out of the Caribbean.” Carole Reid in turn was obviously enjoying the event and performed several pieces including Ave Maria and Tell Him with Carla Tulloch. Her joy, experience and expertise in delivery was quite inspiring. Tulloch too, demonstrated her tremendous talent with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I will always love you. A rendition that garnered a standing ovation from her audience and queries about when she would be releasing her album as the audience wanted to hear more of her. Andre Shephard as always never disappoints and had the audience eating out of the palm of his hands. Overall, it was an evening of great musical feasting and Harold Davis brought the curtain down with a festive gospel medley that had Christchurch on its feet dancing. A fitting end to an outstanding show.
- Review by Indi Mclymont-Lafayette.


“The support of organizations like Golf View Hotel enables us to provide enhanced care to our patients. We are grateful for their continued assistance in addressing the healthcare needs of our community,” said Mr. Miller. He highlighted the importance of private-sector partnerships in the health sector.
In turn, Mr. Campbell, responded that the donation, demonstrates the hotel’s ongoing commitment to community health and well-being. The funds were raised from the Leo/Virgo birthday party put on at the hotel for Mr. Campbell and his wife, Kemilee, held on August 24, 2024.
The Renal Unit at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) serves patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses, offering critical dialysis and nephrology services to a growing number of residents in the central Jamaica region (Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth).
In a formal presentation at the hospital on October 2, Mr. Campbell handed over the donation in the presence of key members of the MRH team, who expressed their appreciation for the timely support. Also representing the Mandeville Regional Hospital were Ms. Tonia-Ann Hollingsworth, Nephrology Nurse; Mrs. Marika Davis, Nurse Manager of the Renal Unit; and Ms. Mernel Genus, Departmental Nurse Manager.
“This donation will go a long way in helping us improve our services to better care for our patients,” said Mrs. Davis, Nurse Manager of the Renal Unit. The hospital staff were hopeful that this partnership would inspire other businesses in the central region to support healthcare initiatives and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
The Golf View hotel has been under new management since 2019 and operates under the motto, “In the heart of Jamaica from the hearts of Jamaicans.”
For further information, please contact: David Murray, Marketing Officer. Email: Davidalexander.gvh@gmail.com Tel: 1(876) 503-5612




