Deaf youth empowered for future employment and success

As the year comes to an end, the eight participants of the iSchoolAfrica Deaf Developers Programme for the year have graduated.

The iSchoolAfrica inaugural programme created inclusive workplaces and fostered tech talent for a diverse future.

This programme emerged as a pioneering effort, inviting businesses to embark on a journey that addresses the pressing need for tech talent and aims to create more inclusive work environments.

iSchoolAfrica, an innovative education initiative, has launched the transformational programme in a stride toward creating a more inclusive society and workforce. It is funded by a grant from the SAB Foundation, as well as support and funding from Core Group.

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This pioneering initiative is poised to empower unemployed deaf youth with cutting-edge skills in iOS app development, opening pathways to future income and success, while fostering inclusivity within our society.

Initiatives like the iSchoolAfrica Deaf Developers Programme carry immense significance. They break down barriers, empower individuals and foster workplaces where every person is valued and included.

In a landmark development, coinciding with the official recognition of South African sign language as the 12th official language in South Africa, the programme stands as a beacon of hope, bridging the gap between skills, opportunities, and inclusivity.

The 2023 cohort of eight deaf students immersed themselves in a comprehensive post-graduate certificate programme in app development, centred on Apple’s coding language, Swift.

The programme equipped these young talents with the vital skills needed for app development and cultivated their confidence and competence to thrive in the competitive tech industry.

“The iSchoolAfrica team has designed the programme to transform the narrative of disabled youth unemployment in South Africa,” said Michelle Lissoos, director of iSchoolAfrica, articulating her enthusiasm.

“We are often asked what success will look like for this programme. There are a few levels of success. There is a critical need for app developers with disabilities to create applications that will solve barriers faced by people with disabilities,“ she said.

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Lissoos stated they hoped to see apps created by their students to serve the community.

She added they also hoped they would thrive as developers in accessible workspaces and that biases are broken down for the employment of future youth with disabilities.

“We know their success will not only benefit the disabled community but also society. This is the first of many cohorts the programme will enable.

“The programme is a meticulously crafted nine-month journey that encompasses various elements aimed at ensuring holistic learning and practical application.

“Each participant is provided with a MacBook for the duration of the programme, ensuring they have the tools to participate effectively in their learning journey.”

Lissoos stated the innovative programme employed a hybrid approach, seamlessly integrating sgn language interpreters, ensuring clear and effective communication channels.

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As a testament to their growth, participants tackle industry-related projects upon completion of the course, applying their newfound skills and gaining hands-on experience.

Through the programme, it came to light that certain specific coding terms were not part of South African sign language.

An innovation of this programme included the contribution of more than 100 new coding terms to our sign language dictionary.

Programme manager Chelsea Williamson underscored the significance of this initiative, affirming, “Inclusion is not just a word, it’s an imperative. The programme opens doors for deaf individuals to shine, enabling them to contribute their talents to the tech ecosystem.”