USEFUL LINKS

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BRIDGE SCHOOL WORKSHOP SERIES: BRIDGING THE GAP IN COMMUNICATION…..

In April 2008, some 170 people enthusiastically attended the recent series of workshops run by The Bridge School of San Francisco, US. The workshops were jointly hosted by IEWC & SAALED Western Cape at Red Cross Children’s Hospital. The Bridge School is dedicated to ensuring that children with severe speech & physical impairments achieve full participation, and through their outreach programme, promote and disseminate information about alternative & augmentative forms of communication. The Bridge School team shared strategies and ideas to educate children with complex needs and inspired all who attended about what is possible, even where there are limited resources available. We are very grateful for their generosity and demonstration of a truly child-centred approach. Visit the Bridge School website at www.bridgeschool.org to view clips from some of the sessions. Visit www.shonaquip.co.za (Shonaquip Tel: 021 7978239) and www.inclusivesolutions.co.za (Inclusive Solutions Tel: 011 7985562) for info about equipment and communication technology.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS

The Western Cape Education Department has posted an Inclusive Education website at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za. This provides government policies, circulars, curriculum and assessment information, as well as news, events and resources related to inclusive education.

Other helpful websites are:

  1. The website of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) http://wced.wcape.gov.za provides useful information on services, events and a useful find-a-school facility.  Visit the Department's new Inclusive Education Learning space at www.thutong.org.za for the latest IE news, documents and resources.  You are invited to read and share views and experiences, as well as classroom tips and strategies, via the site's noticeboard, blogs and newsletter. Special schools are also invited to share innovative practice.  Various print resources can be downloaded including the Department's new Strategy for Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) document, which is being "field-tested" in 3 districts of each province.  Visit the Barriers to Learning homepage http://curriculum.pgwc.gov.za of the WCED site for information on curriculum adaptation, alternative assessment, policies and guidelines, and also an invitation to share practical strategies and examples of successful practice.

  2. The very successful Shine Centre, run by volunteers at Observatory Junior School, is an example of how extra support can be provided to learners at school without placing extra strain on the teaching stafs.  They are now keen to assist other schools start a similar initiative and have established the Shine Trust to seek funding to support their doing this.  For further information go to www.theshinecentre.org.za

  3. One of our members, Benita Loff, who is also the Fund Developer for Epilepsy SA, has recently started an Internet Parents Support Group for parents of children with epilepsy. You can access this support group by clicking the link "Epilepsy-Parents" on the Epilepsy SA Western Cape website at www.epilepsysawc.org.za. Then register as a new member by clicking on "Join this group". You will then be set to chat to other parents of children with epilepsy about epilepsy related issues.

  4. www.childrenfirst.org.za Children First is an enabling forum committed to presenting African perspectives on the situation of children in South Africa and Africa, and to the development of models of good practice in working with children. They produce a bi-monthly publication, which is also featured on the website. They are involved in lobbying, advocacy, policy discussions and the sharing of knowledge and experiences.

  5. http://www.eenet.org.uk The Enabling Education Network provides access to a broad-based body of expertise and experience in the practise of inclusive education world wide. EENet activities include the production of an annual newsletter (featured on the website), the production of a publication of case studies, as well as an (on-line) information provision and advice service.

  6. http://www.up.ac.za/academic/kommunika The University of Pretoria Kommunika makes for interesting reading. Parents of children who experience barriers to learning are encouraged to share their experiences.

  7. www.erp.org.za The Education Rights Project (ERP) was established in February 2002 as a joint initiative of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and the Education Policy Unit (EPU) at the University of the Witwatersrand. The Project assists individuals and communities to assert and realise their right to basic education. The ERP campaigns on five major issues: abolishing school fees; school fees; budgetary and infrastructure provisioning; preventing sexual harassment in schools, and adult basic education. In each of these areas, the ERP conducts research and provides training, advocacy and legal services to people who wish to widen access to and improve the quality of the education provided in their communities.

To contact us:
Phone: +27 21 674 1422
Fax: +27 21 683 6379
eMail: included@mweb.co.za
P O Box 36330
7702 Glosderry
SOUTH AFRICA