PRODUCTION OF LTSM IN BRAILLE A South African

PRODUCTION OF LTSM IN BRAILLE: A South African Perspective Philip Jordaan: Manager Braille Services of Blind SA

What are LTSMs? • LTSMs are materials used to ensure that quality learning and teaching takes place in the classroom every day • Refers to ALL material that facilitates learning • Why are LTSMs important?

DBE Guidelines to ensure quality education and support in special schools On LTSM: • appropriate material must be provided for all learners in an appropriate format • The principle of one text book per learning area or subject • Schools must keep an up-to-date inventory of all types of learning and teaching materials in the school

DBE Guidelines to ensure quality education and support in special schools On Material Resources: • Special schools must be equipped with appropriate, up-to-date and well maintained material resources

Are they successful: a short evaluation Section 27 report “Left in the dark” • Visited 20 of 22 special schools for the visually impaired • Pupils battle without braille material, assistive devices and without teachers capable of reading and writing braille in 17 of the 22 schools • Constant shortage of Perkins braillers – learners expected to share these, even during exam time! • Due to failed tender process in 2012 of 600 CAPS books only about 150 braille adaptations currently available. • Limited capacity in schools to produce LTSMs

What are the solutions? The importance of braille Braille is the only medium that blind people can use to become fully literate “Finish en klaar!”

What are the solutions? Teacher training • Accredited training conducted by SA Braille Authority and Blind SA Braille Production • Currently done by Pioneer Printers in English & Afrikaans • Blind SA in talks with Provincial Departments

What are the solutions? Equipment • Perkins and Tatrapoint • LTSM production in schools

Conclusion • Need to rebuild the “institutional knowledge” • National Department to engage all stakeholders • Strong Provincial leadership • Motivated Educators with suitable training

Closing Thank you!