Access
Council’s Access Division runs an extensive public relations programme – which encompasses presenting talks to the public, organising special events and awareness campaigns, media liaison and dealing with public queries.
The Access Division comprises a very dynamic team, who oversee various areas, including:
Information Management, Marketing, Communications, Fundraising and Events Management.
Publications:
Click here for access to our publications:
The Access Division also comprises these two centres:
Goldfields
Resource Centre
Situated at our head office in Pretoria, the Resource Centre carries a wide range of assistive devices for blind and partially sighted people – ranging from small, inexpensive items like liquid level indicators and self-threading needles to computer related equipment like screen readers.
Click here to browse our catalogue and order online or send an email to resource@sancb.org.za
Low Vision Centre
For those with a visual acuity of 6/18 or worse for distance tasks, and whose vision cannot be corrected through ordinary spectacles, medication or surgery, our Low Vision Centre provides assessment and services aimed at enhancing visual performance.
We assist individuals with low vision by helping improve an understanding of low vision and by helping these individuals to utilise their remaining vision more effectively – through the use of special optical devices such as magnifiers, telescopes and electronic CCTV readers, or by using specific eye movement techniques, and by making adjustments to their environment regarding lighting, colour and contrast.
Please note that this centre is only open on a Wednesday and operates exclusively on an appointment basis.
Contact: Landi Stuart to make an appointment on 012 452-3811 or landi@sancb.org.za
Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness
There will be no eye care tours by Council’s Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness during December. They will start performing their miracles again on 13 January 2010.
You can have your eyes screened by one of our mobile Eye Care Division surgery units when they visit the following towns/areas in January. People who experience eye problems, vision difficulties, eye pain, infections and inflammation can report to Council staff from 08:00am on the screening days. People with blindness-causing conditions will be seen by an eye specialist and a sight-restoring operation may be performed. Spectacles are also available.
Order of St Johns Team
14 January at Donald Fraser Hospital, Limpopo
21 January at Nkhensani Hospital, Limpopo
27 January at Kgapane Hospital, Limpopo
For further information, contact team leader Alfred Mekwa on 082 337-1422
Lions International Team
To be confirmed
For further information, contact team leader Jona Rampudu on 082 291-9014
Life Health Team
12 - 14 January at Vryburg Hospital, North West
21 January at Lehurutshe Hospital, North West
For further information, contact team leader Sister Francina Huma 072 988 0138
Vodacom Team
17 – 23 January at Cecilia Makiwana Hospital, Eastern Cape
26 January at SS Gida Hospital, Eastern Cape
For further information, contact team leader Samuel Mulovhedzi on 083 442-0328
Education & Braille Support Services
The Education & Braille Support Services Division of Council has the following areas of focus in its mandate:
- Braille Literacy;
- Inclusive Education;
- Braille Production;
- Braille Examinations;
- Support to ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) & ECD (Early Childhood Development) Centres around the country;
- Support to the 21 Special Schools for the Blind and Disability Student Units at Universities in South Africa.
This Division coordinates the following committees:
- Braille Production Task Team;
- Committee for Persons with Visual Impairment,
- Deafblindness and with Other Disabilities;
- Education Committee.
This Division believes that educating a visually impaired person is the key to this individual’s growth and success. Education and Braille Support Services strives to render quality services to these individuals.
If you need assistance or if you have any queries concerning matters related to braille or special education, then please contact one of the following people from Council’s Education & Braille Support Services Division on (012 452 3811):
Dr Obert Maguvhe - obert@sancb.org.za
Mika Ramchurran mika@sancb.org.za
Suraya Ismail suraya@sancb.org.za
Cynthia Mamukeyani cynthia@sancb.org.za
Philip Maibi phillip@sancb.org.za
Skills Development
Entrepreneurial Development
The overriding aim of this department is to identify blind people in rural and township areas, to provide them with essential independence skills and capacity building to enable them to set up informal income-generating projects.
Contact: Mr C Budeli on 012 452-3811 or email chris@sancb.org.za
Optima College
Situated in Pretoria, Optima College offers further education and training to blind and partially sighted people. Optima provides vocational training to all visually impaired South Africans in the computer and call centre fields.
Click on the following links for more information : Computer Training, Braille Literacy, Call Centre Training , Fee Structure and Entry Criteria.
Computer Training
Our Computer Training course offers students the opportunity to learn basic software, including word processing and spreadsheet programmes, Internet and e-mail – as well as how to use either screen-reading or screen-magnification software.
The course runs over five months and two cycles are offered per year for a maximum of 30 students per cycle. Optima College only offers full courses which comprise five modules each. Students will not be allowed to enrol for individual modules. (However, should you require shorter training, contact adam@sancb.org.za at the Resource Centre for assistance in registering for a short course.)
Before the course starts, all students must go through an assessment in order to determine the level of skill they have already achieved. Should a student have acceptable keyboard skills as well as a good typing speed and good typing accuracy, he/she may begin the course with the Windows module. If not, he/she will first have to develop the appropriate keyboard skills, typing speed and typing accuracy - all of which are crucial components in computer training.
Should a student want to skip a module in order to begin the course with one of the more advanced modules, an admission exam, testing the student’s knowledge on the contents of the “skipped over” module, will have to be written beforehand.
Braille Literacy
Students are taught how to read and write in braille. This skill gives them access to books and magazines and enables them to record information for personal use.
Call Centre Training
Opticall, Council's own call centre, has accredited facilitators who train visually impaired learners in Call Centre support on a NQF level 2 qualification.
Endorsed by the Services, our high quality training has three components, namely:
- Soft skills training e.g. stress management, time management, communication skills and selling skills.
- Computer training e.g. Windows XP, Internet, E-mail and Excel.
- Simulation training where inbound and outbound scenarios are simulated.
Fees
Please contact Optima College for information related to current fees for tuition and hostel accommodation.
Tel. Agnes Mansena on 012-452 3811 or e-mail agnes@sancb.org.za
Entry criteria
The minimum admission criteria for acceptance of applicants into any of the above mentioned courses is a Grade 12 (matric) qualification.
However, persons with a Grade 10 (std 8) qualification will also be considered on merit. The successful completion of a Computer Literacy course is a prerequisite for Call Centre Training.
Please note that students will have to function as independently as possible while living at Optima. They will be required to take care of themselves in terms of food preparation, laundry, cleaning of rooms and bathrooms and so forth.
Only a limited number of students can be admitted for tuition; a selection of candidates will therefore be made.
Financial arrangements
Hostel accommodation: payable each month in advance.
Tuition: payable in full during or at the end of the course, or according to an arrangement between the student and Council’s Finance Department.
Students are invited to click here to download Optima’s application form. Completed forms can be returned via e-mail to funzani@sancb.org.za or they can be faxed for attention to Fuzani 0124523811
