The National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) of Trinidad and Tobago has achieved significant recognition for its groundbreaking efforts in promoting accessibility. The institution was honored as a finalist for the 2025 Inter-American Development Bank President’s Award for Innovation in Service Excellence (Praise) in the Citizen External User Experience Category for its transformative Marrakesh Project.
During the prestigious awards ceremony hosted at the President’s House on November 26, Nalis received dual honors: their official finalist certification and the distinguished Audience Choice Impact Award within their category. This special recognition, determined by the judging panel, acknowledges the project’s exceptional potential to create meaningful positive change for Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens.
The Marrakesh Project represents a critical advancement in educational accessibility. As the legally authorized entity under the Marrakesh Treaty, Nalis holds the exclusive mandate within Trinidad and Tobago to produce materials in accessible formats including Braille, audio, and large print publications. This initiative specifically serves students who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.
Beyond domestic impact, the project contributes significantly to global accessibility efforts. Nalis systematically converts local educational materials and shares these resources through the international Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), enabling worldwide access to Trinidad and Tobago’s literary and educational content.
The recognition followed a rigorous selection process. A dedicated Nalis team comprising Helen Johnson, Director of Information Networks Division, and Donna Hall-Comissiong, Librarian IV, presented the project directly to the IDB’s judging panel on October 7. Nalis emerged among 12 finalists from various government ministries and departments, all demonstrating exceptional citizen impact across two primary categories: Internal User Experience and External Citizen Experience.
Now in its eighth iteration, the IDB’s President’s Awards continue to highlight excellence and innovation within Trinidad and Tobago’s public sector, showcasing initiatives that significantly enhance citizen services and operational efficiency. The 2025 top honors in the External User Experience Category were awarded to the Ministry of Education for its First Year Infant Registration System TT (FIRSTT) project, while the North West Regional Health Authority secured the Internal User Experience award for implementing a Comprehensive Health Information System.