Blind, partially sighted learners must be treated equally – BlindSA

Nair said the shortage of assistive devices was another major challenge. “Like many of you would use a pen and a pencil, for a blind child a writing machine is that pen. You may pay about R10 for your pen, but the writing machine costs around R35,000. Not all our children have a writing machine in the class to use. They are sharing this equipment. There are very little low-vision devices for partially sighted children.”

Nair said adaptive technology was often inaccessible in schools. “We use screen reading software, we use computers. Some of these things are available in our schools, but nobody wants to educate or train the educators on how to use it. These things are generally kept in a computer lab. So the learners don’t get access to them in the class engagements.”  

The CEO added that the blind learners were excluded from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. “Our learners are not given the opportunity to do STEM subjects. There is just one school out of a trillion schools in the country that offers that. That limits our access to the five points for university. Therefore, students who go to university have limited choices in career opportunities.” 

Nair mentioned problems of lack of therapists at schools for psychological and social support, calling for urgent reforms. “If we do not transform our education system, blind and partially sighted learners will continue to be excluded from opportunities in higher education, in science and technology, and in society as a whole,” he said. 

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