Presentation on Department of Arts and Cultures contribution to Persons with DisabilitiesPresentation to Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities31 October 2012

Presentation OutlineVision of the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC)DACs Legislative MandateProgrammes focusing on Persons with DisabilitiesProgrammes focusing on promotion of Sign LanguageSpecific DAC collaborative programmes focusing on PwDsPromotion of Sign LanguageSample of Current ProgrammesConclusion2

Vision of Department of Arts and CultureThe vision of Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) I to develop and preserve South African culture to ensure social cohesion and nation buildingDACs legislative mandate is linked to Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including the Preamble and Founding Provisions and in particular Sections 16 (1) and 32 (1)3

DACs Legislative MandatePrimary legislative framework of DAC emanates from its various Acts, relevant in this presentation are:National Council for Library and Information Act, 2001 (Act No. 6 of 2001)Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act 2 of 2000)South African Library for the Blind Act, 1998 (Act 91 of 1998)Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) Act, 1995 (Act 59 of 1995)4

Programmes focusing on Persons with DisabilitiesThe DAC seeks to promote of Arts, Culture and Heritage in South Africa and mainstream its role in socio-cultural and socio-economic development. The DAC Infrastructure section has been working on creating access to its institutions to PwDs, such as Theatres, Museum and administration buildings. Handrails have been installed, Braille labels (artwork called Alphabet for the Blind at Oliewenhuis Museum, accessible to people who can read Braille only) and suitable/dignified wheelchair access.PAN South African Language Board (PANSALB) has been established among others to promote the use of Sign Language5

Programmes focusing on promotion of Sign LanguageThe DAC seeks to promote of Arts, Culture and Heritage in South Africa and mainstream its role in socio-cultural and socio-economic development. This includes of mainstreaming of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), with Chief Directorate Arts, Social Development and Youths focus being inclusion & participation of PwDs.The DAC Infrastructure section has been working on creating access to its institutions to PwDs, suitable/dignified wheelchair access such as Theatres, Museum and administration buildings. Handrails have been installed and where requested provide Braille labels Purchase of artwork called Alphabet for the Blind at Oliewenhuis Museum, a DAC Entity (accessible to people who can read Braille only), in MangaungPAN South African Language Board (PANSALB) has been established among others to promote the use of Sign Language6

Specific DAC collaborative programmes focusing on PwDs7

Programme2011/2012 partnershipFinancial implications in R000PANSALBPromotion of Sign language campaign69 000 (for Operations, awaiting Programme budget approval )SA Library for the BlindBlind SA prints Braille materials in all eleven official languages of South Africa and liaises with the South Africa Braille Authority (SABA) in developing Braille standards and policy for these languages.6 076Art Therapy Centre Training in Art Therapy Counsellors for community workers520

Specific DAC collaborative programmes focusing on PwDs8

Programme2011/2012 partnershipFinancial implications in R000DeafTV Zwakala FestivalAnnual Deaf Children and Youth Arts talent showcasing 220SA Council for the BlindBraille printing and production policyPolicy PartnershipTshwane Deaf AssociationHeritage Showcase by Deaf people of Tshwane 100Theatre production by Africa Sinakho ArtsTheatre production that prominently features PwD/Artists with DisabilitiesTBCGifted StarsNational Art Talent search competitionTBC

Specific DAC designed programmes focusing on Persons with DisabilitiesThe DAC has partnered with civil society groups that serve PwDs:Art Therapy Centre, based in Gauteng, trains community Art Counsellors, who work with vulnerable persons, DeafTV Zwakala Festival, an Annual Performing Arts awards, that identify talent among Deaf Children & Youth. This is also linked to SABC DeafTV programmeSA Council for the Blind, exploring ways of reducing the costs of Braille printing which has recommended Braille Production policyTshwane Deaf Association, showcasing heritage performances by Deaf participants, including their visits to heritage sites In Blood Theatre production by Africa Sinakho Arts, that showcases artists with disabilities and able bodied artists interacting and sharing the stage Look at Me Photographic exhibition, done in collaboration with the British Council and Artscape, celebrates the beauty of women with disabilitiesCurrently under discussion with DWCPwD: The Gifted Stars national talent search competition, where DAC will be government partner

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Promotion of Sign LanguageConstitution of the Republic of South Africa recognizes South African Sign Language (SASL) as one of the languages of the Republic of South AfricaThe language is included as one of the languages PanSALB is mandated to promote, to create conditions for its development and to use, as well as protect (ensure respect).Democratic dispensation and the inclusion of Sign Language in the constitution: created space for the Deaf to participate in the development and other activities of this country has given linguistic right to 412 421 profoundly Deaf and 1 237 264 extremely hard-of-hearing people (Statistics SA Census, 2001).

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Promotion of Sign Language cont.Since 1996, SASL has been recognised as the language of learning and teaching for the majority of Deaf learners in South Africa as can be seen in the Education White Paper. There are still challenges around this because of a lack of qualified teachers in SASL and the scarcity of accredited SASL Interpreters currently, there are only seven accredited SASL Interpreters.

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Promotion of Sign Language cont..Recognising the situations outlined above, PanSALB identified a need to put in place awareness campaigns whose purpose is to:Assist the Deaf to come out openly about their access services (education opportunities, social services, etc.) like other South African citizens, equal education opportunities and therefore, SASL interpreter services. Conscientise the hearing about deafness, Deaf culture and SASL Interpreting services.PanSALB established the SASL National Language Body (NLB) together with NLBs for other eleven (for the eleven official languages) and another (for the Khoi and San languages). In the establishment of each of the nine Provincial Language Committees (PLCs), PanSALB ensures that there is a Deaf member representing SASL.

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Promotion of Sign Language contProgrammes and projects implemented by PanSALB are in line with the following:The recognition of SASL as part of languages of South Africa and create space to ensure that it is used and developed to operate in all key domains of society.Ensuring that PanSALB and relevant bodies attend to the developmental needs of SASL. Providing advice to relevant bodies and individuals on SASL and strategies of promoting SASL as part of multilingualism in South AfricaMonitoring the implementation of projects and programmes that promote the development and use of SASL Protect the linguistic rights of Deaf Rights

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Sample of Current Programmes14

ProgrammeProvince and ActivityRemarksService delivery through Sign language of for the DeafNorthern Cape

The aim of the workshops was promoting SASL and Deaf Culture in the provision of service delivery. There is not a single Deaf person who is employed at the departments that were visited by PanSALB which included the follows: SAPS, Health, Social Services, De Aar and Upington district municipalities. Training and awareness in Sign LanguageNORTH WESTAbout 150 parents were taught Sign Language to facilitate easy communication with their children during school vacations Presently there are no known accredited services providers of Sign Language in the Northern West.

Sample of Current Programmes cont15

ProgrammeProvince and ActivityRemarksSign language can improve service deliveryGautengThis training was to equip front line workers of the Hospital with basic Sign Language in order to ensure effective communication towards the Deaf clients visiting the hospital on a daily basis. Workers in most public institutions are not conversant in Sign Language, as a result these creates a barriers in service delivery. Sign language developmentFree StatePanSALB is funded training of 10 SASL interpreters in the Free State, run in partnership with University of the Free State. Material will launched in 2008. There are only 7 qualified Sign Language interpreters conducting training at the tertiary institutions in the Free State.SASL Interpreters Guidelines neededLimpopoThere is a need to look at the drafting of SASL Interpreters guidelines document. Lack of guidelines leads to mushrooming of private companies who exploits the Deaf.

Sample of Current Programmes cont..16

ProgrammeProvince and ActivityRemarksUnemployment rateWestern CapeIn 2005 2006 PanSALB funded the centre for the Deaf in Worcester to establish an infrastructure for the development of SASL and training the Deaf There is still high unemployement rate and discrimination towards Deaf people in most departments.

SASL Terms developmentMpumalangaIn 2008 SASL NLB Technical Committee recorded Signed Health Terms and produced a DVD and master copy and 50 copies funded by PanSALBMost teachers who are teaching in Deaf Schools have limited knowledge of Deaf language; as a result they cant sign for instant scientific terms.

Conclusion

DAC will continue to collaborate with DWCPwD, in serving the needs of vulnerable persons, especially PwDs This includes ensuring that:DAC Entities respond to the needs of PwDsMzansi Golden Economy includes beneficiation and participation of PwDs17

Thank you

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