Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine October 2021 | Page 84

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Inclusive Schools
Government schools only started to be inclusive in the 1970s after the National Policy on Education of 1977 was enacted and revised in 1994 . The most recent is the Inclusive Policy on Education ( 2011 ). The latter guides inclusion of learners with disabilities . The Ministry of Basic Education established the Department of Special Support Services to ensure that schools are inclusive . However , implementation of this policy has met challenges making inclusion non-effective . Some of the challenges include :
• Inappropriate curriculum that does not promote inclusion
Special needs learners from a Junior Secondary School in Gaborone showcasing their school work during International Day of Persons with Disabilities .
• Inadequate and inappropriate resources , for example , furniture and equipment
• Teachers are also misplaced - there is no consideration of disability knowledge and awareness
• There is also poor match between technology and users
Member Organizations
Member organizations provide a variety of services to people with disabilities across all ages . These services include :
• Pre-school and day care programmes
• Primary School education ; visual , hearing and moderate mental disabilities
• Vocational training and sheltered employment opportunities
• Rehabilitation programs : in the form of physiotherapy , occupational and speech therapy .
Orthopaedic Workshop
• Referrals for corrective and restorative surgery and orthopedic appliances for people with disabilities in residential , day care and outpatient units