Blind SA, a National Disable People’s Organisation focuses on the three major challenges impacting upon blind and visually impaired people and possible action to be taken.
Education Crisis for blind and visually impaired learners due to COVID-19 pandemic #EducateMe
Blind SA has been negotiating with the Department of Basic Education from before the National Lock Down in March 2020 regarding the unsatisfactory infrastructure, lack of Learner Teacher Support Materials (LTSM), lack of basic assistive devices and safety at the Schools for the Blind in the country. The impact of covid-19 with social distancing protocols brings a greater crisis to our sector especially the inadequate hostel facilities and classrooms, educators and teacher aides and the provision of orientation and mobility for learners as well as the provision of teaching and the provision of assistive devices for learners who are still at home.
Dr Siva Moodley – Independent Consultant Report on the Provision of Education for learners with Visual Impairment will be released at the Press Conference on 5 August 2020. Robyn Beere, Deputy Director from Equal Education Law Centre will highlight the attempts taken to raise their concerns regarding the problems at Special Schools and the pending litigation against the Department of Basic Education.
The visually impaired learner Jonas Ndlovu, G11 and Lebo Mahlatsi, G8 from Filidilfia LSEN Secondary School as well as Onica Ndongeni, G11 from Khanyisa School for the Blind will talk about their experiences.
Susan Bam, Chairperson: Blind SA Education and ECD Committee will track the developments of the Blind SA Six Point Plan that was published on 3 February 2020.
Listening to the voices of blind and visually impaired women – Utlwella lentswe la mosadi wa go se bone le o sa boning pila – #Blindwomen’slifematters
Blind and visually impaired women face secondary abuse by Police when reporting rape and other sexual abuse and domestic violence because the Police say blind and visually impaired women cannot identify their perpetrators.
Mpini Letlhage: Chairperson: House of Hope will highlight the Women’s Month Activities and Irene Mashele: Secretary: Now is the Time will raise the concerns and challenges during August, commencing with the first National Dialogue hosted by Blind SA on 5 August 2020. The next Dialogue will be a Provincial Dialogue in Limpopo on 12 August, in Mpumalanga on 19 August and in Gauteng on 27 August 2020. A National Dialogue with senior leadership from SA Police Services and Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is scheduled on 31 August 2020. Blind SA intends documenting the concerns and challenges from blind and visually impaired women from the country and to present a Petition about the secondary abuse inflicted by the Police on blind and visually impaired women when reporting cases of rape and domestic violence. The Police generally dismiss these incidents saying that blind people cannot “see” their perpetrators.
President Ramaphosa denied blind and visually impaired people access to published works by referring the Copyright Amendment Bill back to Parliament – Brailleisnocrime Section 19 D in the Copyright Amendment Bill provided the exceptions and limitations that blind and visually impaired people to access published works in an accessible format and the President has not ascended to the CAB resulting in blind and visually impaired people being denied access to published works and perpetuating the “Book Famine”.
Christo de Klerk: Chairperson Blind SA Accessible Publications, Equipment and Assistive Devices will highlight the Action proposed by Blind SA. Jack Devnarain: Chairperson SA Guild of Actors will Launch a promotional video that Blind SA will use in their social media campaign.
More information
Jace Nair
CEO
Blind SA
Mobile 0609670258
#EducateMe SMS 45345
Please find the Zoom Link below.
Jace Nair is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: BLIND SA – PRESS CONFERENCE Blind SA The Plea from blind and visually impaired people
Time: Aug 5, 2020 10:00 AM Harare, Pretoria
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 857 1438 1810
Passcode: 687081
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Meeting ID: 857 1438 1810
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PROGRAM
Date: 5th August 2020
Time: 10am
Programme Director: Ntshavheni Netshituni Vice President Blind SA
- Welcome and Address: Cathy Donaldson President Blind SA
- Education Crisis:
Dr Siva Moodley – Independent Consultant Report on the Provision of Education for learners with Visual Impairment Robyn Beere – Deputy Director Equal Education Law Centre Will highlight the crisis in education for learners with disability Learner Jonas Ndlovu, G11, Filidilfia Learner Lebo Mahlatsi, G8, Filidilfia Learner Onica Ndongeni,G11, Khanyisa
Susan Bam: Chairperson: Education and ECD Highlighting the Progress of Blind SA 6-point plan
3. Women’s Month Activities.
Listen to the voice of the blind and partially sighted woman.
Utlwella lentswe la mosadi wa go se bone le o sa boning pila. Mpini
Letlhage: Chairperson: House of Hope/Women’s month Activity
Irene Mashele: Secretary: Now is the Time/GBV Portfolio
She will highlight the concerns and challenges of Blind and Visually Impaired Woman
Copyright and Marrakesh Treaty
Christo de Klerk: Chairperson Accessible Formats, Publications, Equipment and Assistive Devices. Action by Blind SA
Jack Devnarain: Chairperson SA Guild of Actors. Launch of promotional video
4. Q&A
5. Closure