MEC for Education Donald Grant, will be visiting Athlone School for the Blind to see how the provision of new technologies to the school is improving the quality of teaching and learning for visually impaired learners.
Athlone School for the Blind is one of two schools who received new devices that support blind learners in the classroom. These new devices include the e-braille portable computer; a device for scanning and reading printed text; and a portable MP3 player designed for blind users.
Last year, these devices were piloted in a limited capacity at the schools. Recently, following the success of the pilot, the WCED invested R4.2 million at the schools to ensure that each blind learner in Grades 4-12, using Braille, was issued with a device.
These computers will make it possible for blind learners to read electronic text using an electro-mechanical display that raises dots against a flat surface. It also allows learners to type text in braille, listen to the text via computer-generated speech, and to read and listen to electronic text in various formats, including PDF and Word files.
A training laboratory has been established at each school in order to support both learners and their educators in using the technology. MEC Grant will be visiting the training laboratory tomorrow, as well as a classroom where the computers are being used.
Media are invited to join MEC Grant tomorrow – which will see his journey as Education MEC end with a positive and revolutionary contribution to education.
Date: Thursday, 22 May 2014
Time: 10h30
Venue: Athlone School for the Blind - Athlonestraat, Glenhaven, Bellville South
