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Many blind people are unable to afford the assistive devices that would enable them to function more effectively – especially essential items like the Perkins Brailler, white cane, slate & stylus.

You can give these precious gifts to someone in need, by making a donation of any amount. Thank you!

 
 

 

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Council & Services SETA offer bursaries to people with visual impairment

A total of 50 bursaries are available to people with a visual impairment. The bursaries apply only for skills progrmmes registred with a vocational ETQA 9ie.e one of the 23 SETA ETQAs] and are intended to subsidize the cost of completing skills programmes which fall under the scope of the Services SETA. to quality, you must

  • be employed
  • have a visual impairment
  • be a South African citizen
  • attend training provided by accredited training providers

A list of all qualifications and unit standards that fall under the scope of the SSETA ETQA may be viewed on the Services SETA website. For more information, contact Reshmika Ramchurran on 012 452-3811 or email mika@sancb.org.za

Applications invited for National Diploma: Orientation and Mobility Practice

The College of Orientation & Mobility is inviting applications for its National Diploma. All short-listed candidates will be required to complete the selection process, which will take place over two days at the Guide-Dog Association’s training centre in Sandton, during March 2007. Acceptance into the course is only possible after successful completion of the selection process.
 
Candidates must submit a completed course enrolment form, a medical certificate completed by a doctor, their Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of all qualifications obtained.

The closing date for applications is 28 February 2007. Please call Allison Williams at the College at 011 705-3512 for more information and to obtain the relevant forms, or send a fax to 011 465-3858.


Online students' solidarity movement

Students at the University of Pretoria have started a group called the Blind Students' Solidarity Movement, aimed at creating a networking opportunity for students to trade informtion, discuss relevant topics such as the use of adaptive technology and more.

Blind and partially sighted students from anywhere are invited to join, as are people who are involved in running disability facilities at universities. If you have a Yahoo account, you may join from the group's home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindstudents. If you don't have an account, you can also join by emailing blindstudents-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Access seminar held at Unisa

A one-day seminar was held at the University of South Africa (UNISA) on 17 July to discuss the accessibility of the university to disabled people and to inform all stakeholders about the scope and work of a task team set up to work towards the successful participation of people with disabilities in the academic environment.

Speakers included politicians, academics and representatives from government and NGOs. during the questions and comments session, many students raised issues of concern such as the non-availability of sign language interpreters at exam locations, a lack of acceptance from able-bodied students and accessibility at the library.

Representatives from the SA National Council for the Blind report that many constructive suggestions were heard on how to overcome these barriers, and that the university is determined to make a real effort to increase accessibility.

The SA National Council for the Blind is committed to giving students of all ages access to the help they need.

Click the links for information on Bursaries, Braille lecture notes, Equipment and Specialised Software and training/criteria for acceptance into Optima College.


Bursaries

Numerous bursaries are available to disabled students wanting to further their studies. Use the quick links alongside, or browse through the options listed below:

 

SA National Council for the Blind awards an annual bursary to deserving blind and partially sighted South African students for tertiary training (Proof of visual disability must be provided)

The bursary, up to a maximum amount of R13 000 covers tuition fees only.

Closing date is 30 September.

Application form and further particulars obtainable from:

Bursary Administrator
South African National Council for the Blind
PO Box 11149
HATFIELD
Pretoria
0028



Eskom University Bursary Scheme
Applications are invited from female and disabled learners specifically, who are interested in pursuing a career in the Electrical Engineering (heavy current) field. The bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees and allowances for books, meals, etc.

Minimum requirements:

  • South African Citizenship
  • Matric exemption with at least a C at Higher Grade in English, Mathematics and Physical Science
  • Post Matric qualifications will also be taken into consideration.
  • Written proof of acceptance for admission by the University and faculty

Applications forms can be obtained from Keke Liphapang, tel. (051) 404-2730. Closing date: 31 July.




Department of Labour
Bursary Scheme for people with disabilities

Excellent financial assistance for tuition fees, hostel accommodation, meals, books and support services are granted to disabled students studying at further education and training colleges and private training institutions.

In order to apply, you will need:

  • A letter of confirmation on the educational institution's letterhead that you have been accepted for a specific course (please mention the course).
  • If you are already studying at the institution, an academic record or progress report.
  • A quotation of funds required for tuition fees, residence and meal fees, book and stationery fees for the whole of 2008 (only one payment is made per year, therefore fees should not be quoted for a trimester or semester only).
  • A breakdown of the normal duration of the training, how the training is split between trimesters or semesters and whether to training will be theoretical only or theoretical and practical.
  • The completed application form. Download here.

For further information, contact the local Labour Centres at your Provincial Department of Labour.


 

Vodacom Foundation Bursary Scheme

An open bursary for South African citizens wishing to study full-time in the fields of Engineering, IT, or Accounting and Financial Management at an accredited University or Technikon in South Africa.

Applicants must forward mid-term results with the application form, and the bursary award is conditional upon successful completion and confirmation of final results of that academic year.

The bursary covers the following:

  • Registration fees
  • Tuition fees
  • Professional membership fees
  • Residence fees
  • A fixed amount to cover prescribed books, transport, etc
  • Food credits on student card

Final year students may apply for vacation work within the company. An experiential training programme is also available to Technikon students in order for them to qualify for the National Diploma.

Download application form, and fax to the Foundation on (011) 653-5479 before 30 September.



Marga Schulze Scholarship

An international bursary, up to US$1 200, awarded to Women from 11 countries in Southern Africa.

Closing date: 30 September

For more information and application form,
Tel. +27 (0)12 452-3811
Fax +27 (0)12 346-1149
e-mail: etna@sancb.org.za

or write to:
P O Box 11149
Hatfield
Pretoria
0028


Bursaries of R3000 each are offered by Blind SA (formerly the SA Blind Workers Organisation) for blind and partially sighted students at universities or technikons in South Africa.

For more information, telephone Leon Cregg on (011) 839-1793

or write to:
Private Bag X9005
Crown Mines
2025


National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Approach the Financial Aid Offices of the university where you intend to study or where you are registered – or contact the NSFAS at www.nsfas.org.za.


Ian Fraser Memorial Bursary Fund
Bursaries are only available to blind and partially sighted students who can provide proof of blindness/visual impairment. The amount is determined by the trustees.

Contact: Mr Charles Dickson Tel: 021 531-2028
Fax: 021 531-6654

Forward your application to The Bursary Officer
Ian Fraser Memorial Bursary
Fund
P O Box 125
Howard Place
7450 Cape Town

Closing date: 17 February


National Research Foundation (NRF) Disability Bursary Scheme

Scholarships for honors, masters, doctoral studies in the fields of natural and applied sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

Application forms obtainable from www.nrf.ac.za.

Closing date varies for every course. Enquiries at support desk: 012 481-4202.


The Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa (CCETSA)
A British-based charity providing scholarships to postgraduate disadvantaged students from Southern Africa.

Prerequisites: a university degree or a post matric diploma at a recognized training institution.

Preferred areas of study: accounting, administration, economics, education, engineering, history, information technology, law, local government, maths and science. Funding is for both full-time and part-time studies.

Closing date: 20 September

South Africa office:
P O Box 34692
Groote Schuur
7937 Cape Town

Tel: 021 448-6599
fax: 021 448-1566
E-mail: ccetsa@iafrica.com www.cancollins.org.uk

 

 

Bursaries
Annual SANCB R13 000 study bursary

Eskom University Bursary Scheme

Department of Labour
Bursary Scheme for people with disabilities

Vodacom Foundation Bursary Scheme

Marga Schulze Scholarship

Blind SA

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

Ian Fraser Memorial Bursary Fund

National Research Foundation (NRF)

Disability Bursary Scheme

The Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa (CCETSA)
 
Study at Braille without Borders

The Braille without Borders International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs IISE) in Kerala, South of India, will start its first course in January 2009. For the participants that will study during the first two years BWB will provide scholarships either through funds raised by BWB or scholarships provided by other organisations or individuals.
 
BWB accepts applications until July 2008 for participants that are interested in the study offered. BWB is looking for engaged, motivated people who want to add something to society by setting up their own social or environmental projects in their own regions and countries.
 
Please note that a preference is given to blind and/or partially sighted candidates. For more information, visit www.Braillewithoutborders.org or e-mail Tigi Philip onBrailleWB@gmx.net

 
Braille lecture notes

Braille transcriptions for students are available at a nominal rate from Braille Services in Johannesburg.

Contact Philip Jordaan on
Tel. (011) 839-1793

 

Equipment

Locally manufactured Perkins Braillers are available from our Goldfields Resource Centre at a cost of R3 500 including VAT.

You can also order braille paper. Please contact us for assistance.

Click here for our online catalogue

Click here for second-hand equipment

 

Specialised Software

Access to computers and the Internet is the key to success for most blind students and job seekers. At Optima, training is provided utilising JAWS® for Windows – the most popular screen reader worldwide.

JAWS has an internal software speech synthesizer which information from the screen out loud. JAWS also outputs in Braille.

Should you be interested in learning more about JAWS software and its availability in South Africa, please contact Johan – who is in charge of computer training at Optima College – on tel. (012)
452-3811.