The Department of Higher Education and Training wants to establish what the population of students with disabilities is at universities, TVET colleges, community colleges and skill centres.
The Department of Higher Education and Training wants to establish what the population of students with disabilities is at universities, TVET colleges, community colleges and skill centres.
The percentage of South Africans with disabilities is 7.5%, says Stats SA, and the Minister of Education has tasked a committee to develop a policy framework that could support lifelong learning and ensure that pupils with disabilities, whether from special or mainstream schools, have access to further education and training.
At Eastcape Midlands TVET College, 100 students with various disabilities were registered recently and are being trained in computer-based programmes in collaboration with the ETDP Seta.
A number of the computer laboratories, mostly at the Brickfields Campus in Uitenhage, have been equipped with Cobra software mostly used for the visually impaired.
In 2013, four visually impaired students passed the International Computer Driver’s Licence programme by means of this special equipment available to students.
The institution integrates students with disabilities into the mainstream operations by not isolating them.
These students are not labelled as disabled, but are grouped with non-disabled students for inclusive education.
Three of the eight campuses are compliant for disabled students.
However, the older premises, mostly historic buildings, are not yet compliant due to the lack of funding.
The TVET Directorate within the Department of Higher Education and Training, responsible for social coercion, equity and disability, will possibly assist in this regard.
