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Media Works

Learning centre for Northern Cape’s deaf and blind adults

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:39

The only school for deaf and blind children in the Northern Cape is opening its doors to adults as well. Sponsorship came from a local company, PPC Lime. This helped the Re Tlameleng Special School to establish a centre with learning materials and the provision of training for facilitators to enable it to take in adults as well.

“As an industry we are committed to the national goal to eradicate illiteracy in our country,” said Johan Claassen, Executive of Lime Operations. “PPC Lime was particularly keen to provide the necessary resources for disabled adults who are often marginalised.”

Re Tlameleng, which in Tswana loosely means ‘provide for us’, was opened in 1993 for all physically disabled people, with an enrolment of only 30 learners. Today the school has 138 learners with sections for the blind and the deaf.

Through a partnership with ABET (Adult basic education & training) specialist, Media Works, PPC Lime sponsored the learning materials. “Our Braille and Sign ABET were developed specifically for the learning needs of the deaf and blind, allowing the large number of affected adults to access education and training,” explains Media Works’ Branch Manager, Marika Venter.

Learning is delivered through multimedia methodology. Thus, the lessons for the deaf use a computer programme with sign language as the method of communication, while the lessons for the blind use MP3 players and Braille material.

In addition, PPC Lime is sponsoring the training of four facilitators. “If we want to assist the deaf and blind to access the job market,” said Claassen, “we have to set the example by providing job-opportunities within this centre. We have therefore identified two deaf and two blind facilitators who will be trained by Media Works. They will eventually run the training at the centre.”

As part of the development of the learning materials, which were launched in October 2007, Media Works ensured that the materials were not only suitable for learners but also allowed for use by deaf and blind facilitators.