Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down launches virtual classroom

“The island’s Down syndrome population has lacked the essential services it requires. Our interest is to develop a high-tech classroom to offer computer-assisted workshops and expand the scope of our services to reach the greatest number of people, regardless of where they live in Puerto Rico”.

This is how Dr. Francisco M. Correa Juliá, executive director of Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down (FPSD, the Puerto Rico Down Syndrome Foundation), explains the purpose of the organization’s new virtual classroom towards training the special-needs population to use and manage technology.

The FPSD purchased furniture, computers, batteries, a printer, an interactive whiteboard, and has also installed an internet connection thanks to a $20,000 donation they received from Fundación Banco Popular.

The virtual classroom will help participants strengthen their reading and writing skills through technology. It will also help improve the tasks of employees who perform clerical work, as well as develop young people’s skills of those who are interested in this line of work.

Created in 1989, Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down is a non-profit organization that has offered educational services to more than 2,500 children and young people. Annually it serves about 200 children, teens, and adults between the ages of 0 and 60 who have Down syndrome.

“Our organization is the first and only one to serve the Down syndrome population with a comprehensive approach to services. This year we celebrate 30 years of continuous service to this population as well as to other children and young people who also benefit from our programs,” Dr. Correa Juliá said.