Deaf developers recently shone at their graduation, and now stand to lead a new age of inclusive technology for their community and beyond:
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 November 2023) – Technology is often at the centre of opportunities and setbacks but inclusivity often stands as the bridge between the two. This was hugely apparent at the recent graduation of several deaf developers, who, thanks to an inclusivity-centric programme, were able to stand not just as graduates, but as symbols of what the world and South Africa can accomplish with enough effort.
Being skilled in a discipline like developing is a huge bonus on any CV. The problem? Learning resources and teaching methods often come with their own ‘firewalls’ when you stand outside of conventional modes of ability.
So, what if there was a place where deaf developers could flourish and be part of the momentum that helps tech become more accessible for others?
The NGO iSchoolAfrica’s Deaf Developers Programme is the above in a nutshell and meets the ever-growing need of tech talent via a roadmap that’s tailored to deaf learners. This initiative was created 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.
The Deaf Developers Programme was designed to change this, as another narrative particular to South Africa and youth unemployment.
Michelle Lissoos, Director of iSchoolAfrica, shared her enthusiasm:
“The iSchoolAfrica team has designed the Deaf Developers Programme to transform the narrative of disabled youth unemployment in South Africa. 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 be creating applications that will solve barriers faced by people with disabilities.
“We hope to see apps created by our students to serve this community. We also hope that they will thrive as developers in accessible workspaces – and that biases are broken down for the employment of future youth with disabilities. We know that their success will not only benefit the disabled community but society as a whole. And that this is the first of many cohorts the Deaf Developers Programme will enable.”
The 2023 cohort of eight Deaf students immersed themselves in a 9-month journey and post-graduate certificate programme in app development, centred on Apple’s coding language, Swift. The programme not only equips these young talents with the vital skills needed for app development but also cultivates their confidence and competence to thrive in the competitive tech industry.
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. This innovative programme employs a hybrid approach with South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters on board to ensure clear and effective communication channels.
Participants are poised to tackle industry-related projects upon completion of the course, applying their newfound skills and gaining hands-on experience. However, through the programme, it came to light that there were certain specific coding terms that were not part of South African Sign Language. So, an innovation of this programme included the contribution of more than 100 new coding terms to our sign language dictionary!
Reflecting on the significance of the programme, iSchoolAfrica Disability Inclusion Programme Manager, Chelsea Williamson shared, “Inclusion is not just a word; it’s an imperative. The Deaf Developers Programme opens doors for Deaf individuals to shine, enabling them to contribute their talents to the tech ecosystem.”
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