6th Africa Forum, Kampala, Uganda

Turning The Tide Of DeafBlindness In Africa – Towards Professionalization Of DeafBlind Interpreter/Guides

N. Parkins-Maliko, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

[e-mail];

The presentation addresses key issues related to the UNCRPD which stresses access to information through professional sign language interpreters. The level of DeafBlind (DB) access to information in Africa through DB interpreter/guides (IG’s) was obtained through surveys and interviews during the Africa Federation for DeafBlind Annual General Meeting (South Africa, 2014) and the Board and Interpreter Training (Malawi, 2015). This informed a baseline report into the situational analysis of qualification levels and adequacy of skills for DB IG’s. This report provides an opportunity to understand the contextual realities of DeafBlind persons and IG’s in the African context. A sustainable approach for DB IG’s training and development will be discussed, not only focusing on financial support but also on the importance of international learning exchange opportunities.

WORKSHOPS AND INTERACTIVE SESSIONS (14:00 – 16:00)

AFUB Youth Forum (Victoria Hall)

J. Nair, AFUB, Kenya/AFUB Secretariat, Kenya.

[e-mail]
It is estimated that the AFUB youth forum will bring together 20 – 30 youth from AFUB member countries including youth representatives from each AFUB region. The proposed agenda will include:- Introduction and welcome; Speech by the Chairperson; Youth Action Plan; Election of Youth Executive arm; Conclusion and closure.

Tackling the Book Famine In Africa: How the Marrakesh Treaty Works (Meera Hall)
T. Ongolo, ADA, South Africa.

In the context of Professor Ruth Okediji delivering a keynote for Day 4 Partnerships, and in the expectation that François Hendrikz, Director of the South Africa Library for the Blind will be presenting a paper on Thursday 8th, Day Theme 4: Sub-Theme 1. The theme of this paper will be to challengee other organizations of the blind in sub-Saharan Africa to join a library sharing network to benefit from the Marrakesh Treaty. The author requests an interactive workshop of 2 hours, titled ‘Creating Africa's Marrakesh Library Network’. This will provide an opportunity for national members in Africa to explore the possibilities of creating a library network to work under the auspices of the Marrakesh Treaty cross-border sharing facility. It will particularly explore low cost start-ups. The workshop will be facilitated by an expert team organized by AFUB Marrakesh team.

Understanding and Implementing Unified English Braille (UEB) Code in Anglophone Africa (Sheena Hall)

Dr. P. M. Ajuwon, Missouri State University, USA.

[e-mail]
This two-hour interactive session will take participants through the basics of the newly-developed Unified English Braille (UEB) code. Preliminary findings indicate there is limited awareness of UEB in Anglophone Africa. Therefore, the session aims to: promote and facilitate the uses, teaching, and production of braille, in line with established guidelines of the International Council of English Braille (ICEB). The presenter will share with participants data on a recent survey conducted on UEB and braille literacy issues in Anglophone Africa. Ideas will be generated for establishing Braille Authority of West Africa (BAWA), and Braille Authority of East and Central Africa (BAECA). Finally, participants will brainstorm strategies for maintaining an office in each country in the newly-constituted regional authorities, and sustaining effective linkages with ICEB that will lead to the promotion of braille literacy in Africa post-2015 development agenda.

AFUB's Advocacy on Human Rights in Africa, Lessons and Way Forward (Royal Hall)
P. Anomah-Kordieh, AFUB, Kenya.

[e-mail]

The purpose of the Seminar is to share the lessons learnt and the success stories of the Regional Human Rights Project for the Visually Impaired in Africa; use the opportunity to raise awareness on CRPD as a tool for advocacy and also raise concerns on the ratification and domestication of the CRPD, increase SRF’s visibility in Africa, discuss and draw the way forward for SRF partnership in Africa and encourage networking among its partners in Africa.

A Trainers' Training on Promoting Safe Independent and Dignified Mobility with the SmartCane (Regal Hall)

A. Mitra, Saksham Trust & Dr. R. Paul, Assistive Technologies Group, IIT Delhi, India

[e-mail] & [e-mail]

Traditionally, the White-cane has been used for detecting obstacles. However, it is restricted in its range and unable to detect raised obstacles. Saksham Trust and its partners therefore sought to develop an affordable mobility aid called the SmartCane^TM. The device uses ultrasonic ranging to detect raised obstacles upto a range of 3m and pre-warns of impending obstacles through vibratory patterns. Through this Forum, Saksham Trust wishes to disseminate its training program with the aim of creating a community of skilled trainers in Africa who can train and assist users in their respective countries once this technology is made available locally. The session will include a review of basic White-cane mobility techniques, an introduction to SmartCane^TM, practical mobility session with SmartCane^TM, use cases collated from user trials in India and other topics such those concerning acceptance. The session is intended to be in two episodes each lasting one and a half hours. This workshop is particularly suited for O&M experts, special educators, rehabilitation officers or social workers engaged in mobility training and/or support.

Training Program On Inclusive Publishing – IV (Majestic Hall)

The DAISY Consortium / UNESCO

[e-mail]
The target audience for this training people engaged in preparing books in publishing companies, libraries, government, schools/colleges and not-for-profits A hands-on training of two days duration for people engaged in preparing books in publishing companies, libraries, government, schools/colleges and not-for-profits to give them knowledge and skill of producing digital content that conforms to international standards and is accessible to everyone including people with disabilities. The training will include production of digital files conforming to EPUB3 and DAISY standard using open source and popular tools used in publishing. Computers would be required for all participants.
Touch The World – The Power Of Tactile Graphics (Emerald Hall)
Dr. Jaroslaw Wiazowski, Harpo, Poland