Visionary education is a digital future
INCLUSIVE education is what we strive for in South Africa.
However, resources at schools catering to those with disabilities are lacking; excluding visually impaired pupils from having equal access to all subjects.
Subjects such as maths and science get watered down due to the lack of braille and visual aid equipment to assist those with high support needs.
This is why the Teacher Empowerment for Disability Inclusion (TEDI) project has developed a course for teachers to better assist pupils with visual impairments.
The course created by TEDI, headed by UCT, saw teachers from eight special needs and full service schools take part in the pilot project to address disability specific needs and gain skills to improve the teaching experience for visually impaired pupils.
The course, piloted on Monday, provides teachers with information on creating accessible learning and teaching support materials, providing access to the expanded core curriculum and helping teachers understand disability as a social justice issue.
“Digital technology creates a massive window of opportunity for the blind and we need to take real steps in society to be inclusive. Training in digital connectivity is a priority,” said senior research officer in Disability Studies at UCT Dr Brian Watermeyer. Materials are available on the TEDI link at www.dhrs.uct.ac.za/dhrs/divisions/ disability/tedi