ICT training solutions provider Torque IT has extended IT training to people with disabilities.
According to Tracy Govender, IT training manager at Torque IT, the company found that there is a need to provide inclusive learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
"By expanding our offering to this often-marginalised group of students, we are also enlarging the pool of IT specialists and improving the employability of our fellow people with disabilities in South Africa," she says.
She points out that Stats SA estimates approximately 3.1 million people in SA have some type of disability, with some 393 000 being visually impaired.
To the company, failure to work together in upskilling people with disabilities will continue hampering SA's progress in meeting the target of employing at least 2% of people with disabilities, as specified in Torque IT's skills development legislation. It believes that providing adequate training to people with disabilities continues to be a priority worldwide.
"With the right support and investments, the private sector, including training providers and academic institutions, we can do a lot to improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities. We need to review the way courses are structured and design inclusive learning environments," says Govender.
The company notes that it began with a pilot programme training Calvin Botha, a blind IT student. In preparation for the pilot, key assessments were made on the current environment and system to accommodate the student and to ensure that he is as comfortable as possible in a new environment. The student is accustomed to using JAWS, a third-party "text to speech" software program, therefore Torque IT provided instructor-led training as well as utilised JAWS to ensure that the student was as comfortable as possible, allowing for easier and quicker adaptation.
"Using the new greener Microsoft, the student was able to download digital versions of the training manuals, along with JAWS software, which could be read to him while in class or sitting on his personal computer at home" explains Darren Hengherr, technical manager at Torque IT.
While Botha was in class getting to grips with the new software and tools, the Torque IT team ensured that facilities and provisions were in place for his guide dog that accompanied him onsite.
"For the first time in a long time, I seriously enjoyed myself," says Botha. "I enjoyed the content presented, and the speed and ease with which the class was conducted. Computers have always been one of my greatest passions and the course and delivery of materials made me realise that I could do more complex, practical computer lab exercises that would be required in more advanced sections."
Govender explains that although students with disabilities can participate in classes with ordinary students, special provisions are made to accommodate students with disabilities. For example, the provision of extra time during exams and one-on-one after-lecture engagements to allow for catching up where required.
"At Torque IT, we realise that each person is unique and we make provisions for that. Each student with a disability who enrols for training with us will be given an individual needs assessment. We are still in the early stages of this journey and will continue improving our facilities and systems as we go along."
According to Govender, Torque IT's objective is to help build the skills for an inclusive workplace that values all individuals and gives them a chance to contribute their IT skills and knowledge to the world of work and society.
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