HEDSA - Training Courses, Workshops & Colloquiums

COURSES, WORKSHOPS & COLLOQUIUMS

Looking for disability-related training courses, workshops and colloquiums being held in South Africa? You have come to the right place! Please click on the appropriate title below to download more information about the training course, workshop or colloquium taking place around South Africa.

Join SANCB at the Beyond Sight Exhibition – Interactive Workshops Await! 23 April 2025

Spaces are filling fast for our exciting Beyond Sight Exhibition workshops! Each session is designed to inspire, educate, and empower—whether you're blind, partially sighted, or simply passionate about accessibility. Don’t wait. Secure your spot today! Register now using the links below. Seats are limited and allocated first-come, first-served. If your chosen workshop is full, don’t worry—sign up for the waitlist, and we’ll notify you if a spot opens up!

1. Introducing the Umsizi Reader – Your Gateway to Accessible Reading

Imagine reading anything in your home language, for free. The Umsizi app makes it possible! Powered by AI, this game-changing tool works on Android and iOS, supporting all 11 South African languages.

At this workshop, you’ll:

Discover how Umsizi opens up books, documents, and more.
Try the brand-new Umsizi WhatsApp Bot for quick, easy tasks.
Walk away ready to use this tool in your daily life.

Perfect for: Blind and visually impaired users, caregivers, educators.

2. Seeing Beyond Sight – A Hands-On Journey into Vision Loss

This isn’t just a workshop, it’s an eye-opening experience (literally!). Through interactive activities, you’ll:

Explore how the eye works (with touch-friendly models).
Solve a mystery with Detective Nomsa (and learn about macular degeneration).
Test-drive life-changing apps and devices.
Unravel the puzzles of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Perfect for: Anyone curious about vision loss—patients, families, healthcare workers.

3. Talking Touch Screens – Smartphones Made Accessible

Think touch screens are off-limits for blind users? Think again! This workshop dives into:

iOS & Android accessibility features (VoiceOver, TalkBack).
Text-to-speech tech that puts independence at your fingertips.
Pro tips to master your smartphone like a pro.

Perfect for: Blind and visually impaired users ready to unlock their phone’s full potential.

4. Women in Tech – Breaking Barriers in ICT

Hear from trailblazing women with disabilities who’ve carved their paths in tech. This panel covers:

Real job opportunities in ICT for people with disabilities.
Success stories (and how you can follow in their footsteps).
Networking with industry insiders.

Perfect for: Job seekers, students, and anyone dreaming of a tech career.

5. Beyond Sight: How AI is Redefining Vision

AI isn’t just the future, it’s changing lives today. In this session, you’ll:

See the latest in Envision Glasses and JAWS/Fusion AI updates.
Learn how these tools tackle real-world challenges.
Get insider insights on where assistive tech is headed next.

Perfect for: Tech enthusiasts, assistive tech users, innovators.

6. Seva Smart Glasses – Your AI-Powered Eyes

Navigate. Identify. Connect. Seva glasses use cutting-edge AI to:

Guide you through unfamiliar spaces.
Read text (menus, labels, books) out loud.
Recognize faces and surroundings.

Perfect for: Blind and low-vision users craving greater independence.

Don’t Miss Out. Claim Your Spot Today!

These workshops are free, interactive, and packed with practical takeaways. But hurry, seats won’t last!

Click the links above to register now.

We can’t wait to see you there!

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Email:atcm@sancb.org.za
Call: 083 634 9994 (Dr. Ashley Subbiah, Assistive Technology Centre Manager)

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HEDSA South African Sign Language Interpreters Workshop

Higher Education Institutions’ South African Sign Language Interpreters Workshop. Revision of the HEDSA Guidelines on the appointment of SASLI’s at higher education institutions. Please send to your counterparts who work Deaf students, SASLIs in HE, SASLI coordinators, etc. The aim of the workshop is to review and update the HEDSA Guideline on the appointment of SASLIs in the Post-School Education and Training sector. The workshop will be presented on the 29th and 30th August 2024 at UFS. Registrations close on the 31st July 2024. HEDSA SASLI Workshop Registration Form

Refreshments and lunch will be covered by the host and accommodation and travelling will be for your own institution’s cost.

Date: 29 & 30 August 2024
Venue: Education Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus , University of the Free State

HEDSA SASLI Workshop Registration Form

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UDL Short Learning Programme

A Short Learning Programme: Basic Introduction to Universal Design for Learning

The content of the Short Learning Programme (SLP) includes an introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This will comprise definitions, benefits and the key principles of UDL. Furthermore, a practical approach (The Plus-One approach) to applying UDL will be taught and applied. In addition, an educator’s checklist on UDL will be utilised as another application tool. Finally, alternate assessment methods will be covered.

The main purpose of the programme is to introduce and develop participant’s understanding of UDL. Furthermore, it aims to equip participants with introductory skills to practice UDL in their various work contexts.

Who can enroll:

All support and academic staff involved in school and post-school Education and Training.

Upon completion of this SLP, participants will be able to:

Define Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Indicate the benefits of UDL
Distinguish the three key principles within the unit framework namely Multiple Means of Engagement (MME) Multiple Means of Representation (MMR) and Multiple Means of Action and Expression (MMA&E)
Match the UDL examples key UDL guidelines
Employ the plus-one approach in course exercises
Apply the Educator’s checklist in course exercises
Apply alternative assessment methods based on UDL principles
Apply the plus-one method to assessments
Explain how UDL can be applied in their own personal work context

Course pricing: R6 500 per person

Contact person: Mrs Elisa Sising (cuadsslp@ufs.ac.za)

Duration of course: 4 weeks

Mode of delivery: Online (work in own time with weekly submissions)

Course Programme: Short Learning Programme (SLP)

The course will be presented in the months of February, May, August and October 2024. Please ensure to book your spot with Elisa if you are interested.

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HEDSA 2023 Biennial Symposium

21-22 September 2023 - Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa

The HEDSA Exco is proud to announce that the HEDSA Biennial Conference will be held on the 21 - 22 September 2023 at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape under the theme “Equity for All: Where are we?”This HEDSA conference will focus on resource-rich engagements on the access, retention, and success of Deaf students and includes a focussed speaker programme, panel discussions, group sessions and social networking events. The Conference aims to provide an opportunity to learn, engage and grow meaningful relationships. We welcome everyone to join our Conference.

There are several important issues and dates that we would like to bring to your attention:

Registration:

HEDSA Conference Registration Form

We would like to encourage all delegates to register by the 15th of August 2023.

Registration Fees:

Conference registration fees include conference pack, morning/afternoon teas, lunch, cocktail and social evening on the 21st September 2023.

HEDSA Member: R3 500
Students: R2 000
Group booking of 6 and more will get their HEDSA membership fee (R2 000) discounted for the institution. Kindly email hedsafinance@gmail.com for further queries in this regard.

You will receive an invoice once you have submitted your conference registration form . Please take note the reference number that will be reflected on your invoice must be reflected on all payments. Please note that the paid registration fee cannot be refunded if anyone is not able to participate in the conference.

Conference venue & accommodation

The HEDSA Conference will take place in Gqeberha at the Nelson Mandela University Auditorium.
Delegates are welcome to access the various hotels surrounding the conference venue. Please note that accommodation will not be reserved exclusively for the period of 21-22 September 2023 for HEDSA members.
Shuttle/Transport: Attendees registering for the conference can arrange for a shuttle/transport through their booked accommodation for the duration of the conference. The conference programme on Day 1 (21st September 2023) will commence at 10:00 to allow delegates to travel to the Eastern Cape the morning of the conference.

Conference attire:

The conference attire will be business casual.

Conference enquiries:

Please send your conference general queries to hedsaconference@gmail.com and payment queries to hedsafinance@gmail.com.

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