Activists have, during the national literacy month that ends on September 30, stressed the importance of ensuring that people with hearing and visual impairments are not left behind. While assistive technology and innovative teaching methods have been instrumental, stakeholders are urging more inclusion strategies to promote literacy for all. ALSO READ: Rwanda ups measures to ensure people with hearing and visual impairments are not left out Here are 10 effective ways to make literacy development more accessible and inclusive for those with sensory impairments. Invest in assistive technology Chukwuma Ekwelum, a private educational consultant, noted the importance of assistive tech devices like speech-to-text converters, screen readers, and video content for sign language. He said that these tools allow students with disabilities to engage with learning materials more effectively, even though they might be costly for some institutions. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s reading renaissance: Bridging gaps in literacy “Schools and training centers should invest in these devices as much as their budgets allow – scalability can be challenging for under-resourced institutions,” he said. Use low-cost strategies for hearing impairment For schools facing budget constraints, Ekwelum suggested a more low-tech but effective method for the hearing impaired—integrating sign language with printed text. He urged instructors to deepen understanding by incorporating animated gestures and expressive body movements while highlighting keywords in the text. This low-cost, dynamic approach, he noted, offers an effective way to engage hearing-impaired students without the need for costly equipment. Incorporate solid learning tools for the visually impaired Ekwelum stated that teaching visually impaired students often requires creative methods beyond enlarging text or increasing lighting for those with low vision. He recommends using touch-based tools, such as clay, and others, to help students make sense of what they hear. These materials, he noted, can serve as manipulative aids during instruction, particularly for students who are completely blind. Develop accessible digital content Will Clurman, the CEO of eKitabu, a platform for accessing quality educational digital content, stressed that digital solutions promote literacy for people with disabilities. “Our software supports accessible formats, including Braille and sign language video content. These innovations help break down barriers and foster inclusive literacy development,” Clurman explained. Promote storytelling in sign language Clurman pointed out that video content in Rwandan sign language has become an essential resource for deaf students, allowing them to engage with stories in their native language. Deaf storytellers are key contributors to this effort, creating an engaging way for children to experience narratives, he noted. “These storytellers offer a unique and dynamic way to engage children, ensuring their inclusion in literacy programmes,” he noted. ALSO READ: Literacy: Mobile app’s initiative to keep children's books accessible and free Encourage braille literacy among publishers Callixte Ikuzwe, the Programme Manager at Seeing Hands Rwanda, a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering persons with disabilities through employment, and capacity building, among others, stressed that publishers ought to become proficient in Braille to ensure that materials for the visually impaired are accurate and of high quality. “Many publishers lack awareness of accessibility agreements, and this hinders the production of inclusive content. Encouraging publishers to invest in Braille printers is a step toward improving access to educational resources for the blind,” he explained. Increase access to braille and sign language materials According to Ikuzwe, the lack of printing centers for Braille and sign language materials complicates efforts to provide essential resources to people with disabilities. He noted that the existing infrastructure is still inadequate, calling for more investment in accessible printing centers to meet the growing demand for inclusive materials. Customise digital platforms for visual needs Aimee Yedidya Senzeyi, the chief of party at USAID Ibitabo Kuri Twese, a three-year project that aims to strengthen the Market System for Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs), said digital platforms should feature customisable settings like large text, high contrast, and voice-to-text capabilities. She stressed that these adjustments ensure that people with various visual impairments can access reading materials without unnecessary obstacles. Provide captioned and visual aids for the hearing-impaired Senzeyi highlighted that captioned videos, sign language, and visual aids help bridge the gap and allow deaf students to fully participate in literacy programmes. She noted that including these resources ensures that learners with a hearing impairment are not excluded from educational content. Train authors and publishers in accessibility Senzeyi said that proper training is essential for adapting books and other reading materials for people with disabilities. “Collaboration with the government and literacy promoters is vital to support publishers in creating accessible content. This approach will ensure that inclusive materials are available across various channels,” she explained.
