A specialised computer centre to address educational need of learnerrs with disabilities to be uncuiled in Port Elizabeth
A new disability-friendly computer centre will be opened at the Khanyisa Special School for the Visually Impaired in Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape on 19 October.
The computer laboratory is equipped with 22 computers with specialised programs that cater for visually impaired learners and their school syllabus. The centre also has an interactive board which will assist the learners with skills in numeracy, literacy and sign language.
This launch of the computer centre forms part of a longstanding public private partnership (PPP) between the Department of Social Development and the MTN SA Foundation. Spearheaded by the Department’s Deputy Minister, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, the aim of the PPP is to ensure that disabled learners are afforded equal learning opportunities through information and communication technology.
The Deputy Minister says that the computer laboratories have proven to assist learners with disabilities to realise their potential. “We have persons with disabilities who are doing well in different avenues of their lives because they were granted opportunities and facilities that cater for their disabilities,” says the Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu who is also visually impaired.
Established in 1988, the Khanyisa Special School for the Visually Impaired caters for 136 visually impaired learners. Eighty two of these learners live on the school premises.
The month of October is commemorated as DSD Month where the Department’s officials take part in programmes throughout the country as part of the government’s vision to address the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
These efforts also form part of global centenary celebrations of the lives of uTata Nelson Mandela and uMama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu who both contributed to the struggle for liberation of all South Africans.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the specialised-computer centre unveiling arranged as follows:
Date: Friday, 19 October, 2018
Time: 9h00
Venue: 1 Qumza Street, Kwadesi, Khanyisa Special School for the Visually Impaired, Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape Province
Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Jaconia Kobue on 063 249 5120 / JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za or Mr Justice Malapane on 066 480 6849 / JusticeD@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
Email: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane - Media Relations and Content Development
Tel: 012 312 7475
Mobile: 081 829 0983
