Graduates are excited to assist visually impaired
PAULSHOF – Eight new orientation and mobility practitioners have just graduated and are ready to help the visually impaired lead independent lives.
Eight orientation and mobility practitioners now know that dreams really do come true after they graduated from their two-year course and will now go out and train the visually impaired.
On 27 September, the graduates and their families were invited to a special graduation ceremony as they received their official certificate in orientation and mobility, which means that they will train visually impaired people how to use a long cane and skills for daily living, such as sweeping the floor, being able to prepare and cook a meal, ironing and even how to match clothes when getting dressed in the morning. The event took place at the Ken Lord College of Orientation and Mobility (the same premises where the South African GuideDogs Association is) and its theme was ‘I have a dream’.
Thabang Kotsi, Nonhlanhla Laat, Lucerth Manzini, Sibongile Masango, Sibongile Moreo, Phumza Pityi-Selwadda, Thandeka Saleni and Siphamandla Thulo started the course in 2017. “This is a full-time, two-year course which is accredited,” explained Michelle Ntlakana, a senior trainer in the college who helped instruct the class. “For this career we are looking for people who can work with others and have an understanding of the English language as that’s what language that the course is taught in.
For the practical lessons, the students did two blocks in their own communities and one in a school environment so that they know how to work with children. “Almost all of our graduates are already working now, having been employed by the Guide-Dogs Association, the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Rehab [the Association for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disability] in East London.”
After the audience sang and danced as the graduates walked into the hall, Elizabeth Louw the head of the college addressed the audience and graduates. Guest speaker on the day was Leanne Hunt, herself visually impaired and a blogger and author, who encouraged the graduates to have confidence in their abilities and remember that the people they work with will have dreams too. After watching a video showing the stages of their training, the graduates were capped by Louw and then SA GuideDogs Association’s board chairman Nigel Unwin handed them their certificates.
The ceremony also saw a special trophy for best student being presented to one of the graduates. “This is only the second time we have handed out this trophy,” said Louw. “It’s not just about marks, but about who is the most excited and most dedicated to the profession.” It was awarded to Siphamandla Thulo, who was the only man in the class and also the class representative. “People don’t know this, but Siphamandla actually applied before,” added Louw. “But on the day of his interview he missed his because he had transport issues and got lost – and so he had to apply a second time.”
Also present in the audience for the ceremony was the current class of nine students, who are currently going through the course and will graduate next year.
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