Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
ITWeb : Deaf, blind receive tech training boost
Multimillion-rand technology is offering visually and hearing impaired adults the opportunity to learn along with non-impaired individuals.
Adult basic education and training (ABET) provider Media Works has developed programmes where blind and deaf people, or those who are partially blind or deaf, can access ABET training while in standard ABET classrooms.
“We have adapted our courses for use on multimedia computers, but the audio elements are obviously lost on deaf students,” explains Media Works development director Dennis Lamberti. “We have therefore included a sign window, like the one you might see on the news.”
He says computers used to be of little use to the blind, which is why Media Works has now recorded lessons onto MP3s.
“It is not groundbreaking technology – we are merely using existing technology that is cheap and adapting it.”
Lamberti explains that it is often difficult to cater to the learning needs of the deaf or blind, as they make up a relatively small portion of general classes.
“Now they can essentially teach themselves and interact with a facilitator perhaps once a week.”
The adapted material took two years to develop and cost more than R2 million. The programmes are being tested by group of deaf, blind and partially sighted students through a strategic partnership with the Wits School of Education.
Multimillion-rand technology is offering visually and hearing impaired adults the opportunity to learn along with non-impaired individuals.
Adult basic education and training (ABET) provider Media Works has developed programmes where blind and deaf people, or those who are partially blind or deaf, can access ABET training while in standard ABET classrooms.
“We have adapted our courses for use on multimedia computers, but the audio elements are obviously lost on deaf students,” explains Media Works development director Dennis Lamberti. “We have therefore included a sign window, like the one you might see on the news.”
He says computers used to be of little use to the blind, which is why Media Works has now recorded lessons onto MP3s.
“It is not groundbreaking technology – we are merely using existing technology that is cheap and adapting it.”
Lamberti explains that it is often difficult to cater to the learning needs of the deaf or blind, as they make up a relatively small portion of general classes.
“Now they can essentially teach themselves and interact with a facilitator perhaps once a week.”
The adapted material took two years to develop and cost more than R2 million. The programmes are being tested by group of deaf, blind and partially sighted students through a strategic partnership with the Wits School of Education.