Enhancing Access to Information through Community Media in South Africa
Posted: 28 August, 2024 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: Access to Information, accessibility, accurate information, community broadcasters, Community Media, cultural practices, Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, democratic participation, diversity, essential information, inclusivity, informed decision-making, International Federation of Journalists, linguistic preferences, local issues, mainstream media, religious information, right to freedom of expression, South Africa Leave a comment
Author: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
South Africa’s community media sector plays a crucial role in addressing the diverse needs and interests of its various geographic and interest-based communities by ensuring access to relevant and accurate information. These media outlets are dedicated to developing and disseminating content that reflects local issues, cultural practices, and linguistic preferences. This localised approach ensures that content is tailored to the immediate needs and interests of specific communities, which is vital for community engagement and empowerment. By focusing on the specific concerns and interests of their audiences, community media provides essential information that might not be covered by mainstream media, reinforcing the public’s right to access crucial information. This access supports informed decision-making and strengthens local identity, promoting active civic participation and contributing to the overall resilience and cohesion of the community.
Ensuring Digital Accessibility for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education through Digital Accessibility Online Tools and Digital Accessibility Training
Posted: 29 June, 2023 Filed under: Alecia Samuels | Tags: accessibility, accessibility issues, Audio alternatives, difficulties in accessibility, Digital accessibility, digital content, Electronic Braille, ePub, higher education, Higher Education Act, learning impairments, Learning Management Systems, narrated video content, navigational methods, Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, Semantic HTML, South Africa, South African Schools Act, Students with Disabilities, universal accessibility standards, visual impairments 1 Comment
Author: Alecia Samuels
Associate Professor, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication , University of Pretoria
When teaching and learning moved almost exclusively online during the COVID-19 pandemic, it brought into sharper focus for universities, the accessibility of their digital content especially for students with disabilities. Digital accessibility is the process of making digital products and content (websites, mobile apps, documents and other digital media and technologies) accessible for everyone regardless of any barriers they might have. While becoming increasingly relevant during the COVID 19 pandemic when universities were forced to move teaching and learning almost exclusively online, for many students with disabilities, difficulties in accessibility of the digital portions of their studies has predated the pandemic not just globally but in South Africa as well. If they are to be successful in their courses and conduct their own research, students with disabilities in higher education need learning materials and information to not just be available but also accessible in various formats that will allow them to be engaged in their learning.
AfricLaw 