US Embassy accommodates special needs applicants

The Consular Section will host “Quiet Mondays” on the first Monday afternoon each month with special attention to minimise distractions and offer personalised service to applicants with sensory processing difficulties.

An embassy release said that in consultation with local experts, consular staff will implement available best practices to interact with developmentally challenged and autism spectrum applicants.

Accommodation will include reduced noise, dimmed lighting and shorter wait times.

“These simple but thoughtful changes will ensure that our special needs applicants are made to feel comfortable,” the release said.

For visas, a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a special needs applicant between 14 and 80 years, may request a special appointment.

Applicants will follow the routine online application steps for a nonimmigrant visa.

After securing an appointment, an expedited appointment request may be submitted with a brief note detailing the special need.

As all applicants under 14 years and over 80 may qualify for an interview waiver, the release said, “we do not anticipate having special appointments for them.” Applicants will be notified of eligibility when following the routine online application steps.

For US Citizen Services, a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a US citizen special needs applicant may contact acspos@state.

gov to schedule an appointment.

Detailed information about the entire visa application process is available online at http://trinidadandtobago.

usvisa-info.com, or telephone 868-224- 3099 from 7 am to 9 pm, Mondays to Fridays.