BrailleMe
Tatrapoint
Although an inclusive approach to disability is usually taken , a specific Disability Act is not yet in place but a White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disability was approved by Government in 2015 . The country is in the early stages of developing a Disability Act and Disability Development Agency .
Some of the main challenges facing the visually-impaired in South Africa are accessing employment , accessible learning and teaching materials in braille , large print , audio and daisy , access to assistive devices and adapted technologies .
Although about 3 % of blind and visually impaired persons are employed in the open labour market , public sector , private sector or in sheltered / protective workshops , unemployment remains one of the more pressing concerns . From the Gauteng Province only , the smallest in South Africa , Blind SA has a database of over 500 blind and visually impaired graduates both skilled and unskilled seeking employment . To assist with the unemployment situation , the organization initiated Start and Improve Your Business ( SIYB ) which is accredited by the International Labour Organisation . They trained 14 trainers using the Training of Trainers concept , four of them to be accredited as Master Trainers . The SIYB has the following components : Generate Your Business Ideas ; Start Your Business ; Improve Your Business . These have been adapted for online e-Training with accessible formatted training materials .
As a result of Covid-19 , some of the main services were halted temporarily but other awareness raising , poverty relief and counselling services were introduced . Covid literature was printed in braille and circulated electronically .
Blind SA encourages advocacy and self-representation . They lobby for the rights of the blind in South Africa while providing meaningful services to empower , build self-confidence and selfsufficiency . Among other things they facilitate daisy , audio and Braille production of literature in
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UBC ( unified braille code ) in all 11 official languages . Also :
• Provide study bursaries and loan facilities for the purchase of work and study related items .
• Train in accredited braille and orientation and mobility services and placement in skills training , entrepreneurial training and placement in employment .
• Awareness raising , information dissemination and distribution of information through various publications : Blind SA News , Braillorama , Braillorette , Braille Trumpet , Young Stoners and Parents Network .
• Assistive devices : white canes , liquid level indicators , Mali-Bhala , braille paper , Tatrapoint brailler and the Braille Me .
This organization was established in 1946 as the South African Blind Workers Organisation ( SABWO ) and became Blind SA in 2004 .
Blind SA 000-606NPO