Gross care International trains Kwekwe Polytechnic staff, students on assistive devices and technologies

Posted by IT Admin on 2025-02-19 16:38:36 |

On Monday the 17th of February 2025, inside Computer Lab Number 5, a total of 30 participants gathered for a very important capacity building workshop on assistive devices and technologies. Assistive devices can be described as tools or technologies designed to help individuals with disabilities perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. These devices can enhance mobility, communication, and daily living activities, promoting greater independence and quality of life. Participants in the workshop were drawn from all Administrative and Training Departments. Some students’ differently abled were also in attendance. It was quite encouraging to note that there are certain things which ordinarily we take for granted, yet they are not. People living with different disabilities who have challenges such as hearing impairments, speech impairments, visual impairments, physical disabilities and many more go through serious challenges when it comes to navigation, access to buildings, ablution facilities, etc. One can even imagine how difficult the situation can be for one living with a disability at an institution of tertiary learning such as at Kwekwe Polytechnic. Imagine a student who has got a visual, hearing and speech impairment who needs to do fees clearance at the administration block. Imagine how he or she goes through the lectures, the writing of examinations and their marking. Imagine how he or she navigates the college terrain from hostels, to the DH, to the classrooms, etc. It is so difficult.  Mr Mapiye was blind-folded and asked to navigate himself to the door. He had a torrid time. In order to mitigate such challenges, that is where the issue of assistive devices and technology come in. The most common known assistive devices includes;

• White cane which most people call the walking stick

• Spectacles

• Hearing aids

• Slate and stylus

• Perkins braille machine, etc

Members in attendance also had orientation on technology such as the braille safari one. This was through some practical examples and demonstrations. The significance of such a capacity building workshop was that, the participants appreciated that in the long run, it is cost effective to have at the institution assistive devices, technology as well as staff and students who are trained on how to use them. Failure to do this will result in the institution always having to hire the gadgets and to pay for trained personnel who will have to do exercises such as transcribing braille documents into the ordinary text. This will be time consuming and at times it compromises the quality of work as the same piece of work has to pass through several hands and some context and meaning may be lost or distorted along the way. Ms Diana Shonhiwa and Jean Mary Chumuka of Gross Care International facilitated the workshop. The canteen staff ensured that the participants’ intestines were well-oiled throughout the day. Kwekwe Polytechnic remains committed to offer quality, inclusive education to all without discrimination whatsoever.