Tunataja SEKOMU kwa elimu maalum

Kila ustaarabu katika historia ya maisha ya mwanadamu huwa na eneo ambalo umeanzia.

Katika historia ya Elimu Maalum kwa vyuo vikuu imeanzia SEKOMU. Nakumbuka topic ya "Advocacy for people with disabilities". Zipo nadharia mbalimbali zinazohusu ulemavu, mojawapo ni ile iitwayo "Social Disability" ambayo inadai kuwa duniani hakuna kitu kinachoitwa ulemavu wala mtu mwenye ulemavu bali ni tafsiri iliyoundwa kwenye jamii ili kuwabagua binadamu wengine. It is a social constructed concept!

Pia nakumbuka maneno ya Prof. Bagandanshwa kuwa katika utetezi wa haki za watu wenye ulemavu tunaambatanisha maana katika kila tukifanyacho katika utetezi huo (in every action we do for advocating people with disabilities there must be meaningful context attached to it).

Nakumbuka pia maneno ya rais wa Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete alipokuwa akihutubia jumuia wa wana SEKOMU tarehe 9 July, 2014 alisema: "Sasa tunajua, tunapotakiwa kujua habari za elimu maalum tunawauliza watu wa SEKOMU". 

Ninaamini kuwa SEKOMU, mbali na taaluma zingine zinazotolewa hapo, kitaendelea kukumbukwa hasa kwa ajili ya elimu maalum.

Sherehe ya kuwapandisha vyeo ngazi ya uprofesa. 

Waliopandishwa vyeo ni Dr. Edward Bagandanshwa 

(wa kwanza kutoka kushoto, na Dr. Mbatia (wa tatu kutoka kushoto)

Stafu ya SEKOMU wakati wa hafla ya kuwapandisha 

vyeo kitaaluma Dr. Bagandanshwa na Dr. Mbatia kuwa profesa.

Ustaarabu huu mzuri wa Elimu Maalum kwa vyuo vikuu umeanzia SEKOMU, tunahitaji sasa kuueneza kwenye vyuo vikuu vingine nchini. Hii ni kwasababu, watu wenye mahitaji maalum ni wengi, wapo mijini na vijijini, wakubwa kwa wadogo. Tunahitaji kujenga jamii jumuishi ambayo kila mtu anathubutu kumjumuisha mwenzake.

Viva SEKOMU...

Tanzania na Mkataba wa Kimataifa wa Haki za Watu wenye Ulemavu & Mkataba wa Nyongeza (2006)

Tanzania ni miongoni mwa nchi zilizosaini mkataba wa kimataifa wa haki za watu wenye ulemavu duniani. Miongoni mwa haki za watu wenye ulemavu ni ile inayohusu elimu. Ibara ya 24 ya mkataba huu imeongelea kwa undani habari za elimu kwa watu wenye ulemavu. Tuusome huu mkataba kisha tujitathmini wenyewe kama taifa na kujiuliza swali moja tu; 

"Je, tumeweza kuitimiza hii haki ya watu wenye ulemavu kujipatia elimu yao ipasavyo?"

Ibara ya 24

Elimu

"1. Waliouridhia Mkataba huu, wanatambua haki za watu wenye ulemavu kupata elimu. Ili haki hii ipatikane bila ya ubaguzi na kwa misingi ya usawa wa fursa, Waliouridhia Mkataba, watahakikisha kuwepo kwa mfumo wa elimu jumuishi katika ngazi zote na mfumo wa ujifunzaji kwa maisha yote ukijielekeza kwenye:

(a) Uendelezaji kamili wa uwezo wa binadamu na uzingatiaji wa hadhi na kujithamini, kuimarisha hali ya kuheshimu haki za binadamu, uhuru wa kujiamulia na uanuwai miongoni mwa binadamu.

(b) Watu wenye ulemavu kujiendeleza kadri wawezavyo kihaiba, kivipawa na kiubunifu, kadhalika na uwezo wao kiakili na kimwili;

(c) Kuwawezesha watu wenye ulemavu kushiriki ipasavyo katika jamii iliyo huru.

2. Ili haki hii ipatikane, Waliouridhia Mkataba huu watahakisha kwamba:

(a) Mfumo wa elimu hauwatengi watu wenye ulemavu na

kwamba watoto wenye ulemavu hawabaguliwi kwenye elimu ya msingi ambayo ni ya lazima au ile ya sekondari kwa misingi ya ulemavu;

(b) Watu wenye ulemavu wanaweza kuipata elimu ya msingi na ya sekondari katika mfumo jumuishi, bora na bila ya malipo kwa misingi ya usawa na wengine katika jamii waishimo.

(c) Marekebisho stahili yanafanyika kulingana na mahitaji binafsi;

(d) Watu wenye ulemavu wanapata usaidizi unaohitajika ndani ya mfumo wa elimu, ili kuwawezesha kuelimika vilivyo;

(e) Hatua za makusudi za kumuwezesha mtu binafsi mwenye ulemavu zinachukuliwa katika mazingira yanayomuwezesha kufikia upeo wa maendeleo ya kitaaluma na kijamii kama lilivyo lengo la ujumuishaji kamilifu;

3. Nchi zilzoridhia Mkataba huu, zitawawezesha watu wenye ulemavu kujifunza maishani na stadi za kimaendeleo katika jamii ili kurahisisha ushiriki wao ulio kamilifu katika nyanja ya elimu na kama wanajamii wengine. Ili kufikia lengo hili, Waliouridhia Mkataba huu watachukua hatua zinazofaa, zikijumuisha:

a) Kuwezesha mafunzo ya maandishi ya nukta nundu, maandishi mbadala na njia za kukuza mawimbi ya sauti na nyinginezo za kuboresha mawasiliano, mbinu kabilifu za ujongeaji, na kuwezesha huduma za makundi rika na ushauri;

b) Kuwezesha mafunzo ya lugha ya alama na kukuza utambulisho wa kiisimu wa jamii ya viziwi;

c) Kuhakikisha kwamba elimu kwa watu wenye ulemavu, hususan watoto wasioona, viziwi au viziwi wasioona, inatolewa kwa lugha, mfumo na njia sadifu za kimawasiliano, na katika mazingira yatakayotoa nafasi kubwa ya maendeleo kitaaluma na kijamii.

4. Ili kusaidia katika kuhakikisha upatikanaji wa haki hii, Waliouridhia Mkataba huu watachukua hatua madhubuti katika, kuajiri walimu, wakiwemo walimu wenye ulemavu, walio na utaalamu wa lugha ya alama na/au nukta nundu na pia kuwafundisha wataalamu na watumishi katika ngazi zote za elimu. Mafunzo kama hayo yatajumuisha mwamko kuhusu ulemavu na kutumia njia za kukuzia mawimbi ya sauti na zile mbadala kimawasiliano, mbinu na vifaa vya kimafunzo vitakavyowasaidia watu wenye ulemavu.

5. Waliouridhia Mkataba huu, watahakikisha kwamba watu wenye ulemavu wanapata elimu ya juu, mafunzo ya ufundi, elimu ya watu wazima na mafunzo wakati wote wa maisha yao bila ya ubaguzi wa aina yoyote na kuipata kwa misingi sawa na watu wengine. Ili kufikia hatua hii, Waliouridhia Mkataba huu watahakikisha kwamba marekebisho stahiki yanafanyika kwa ajili ya watu wenye ulemavu."

NB:

Elimu Jumuishi Tanzania bado ina kasoro kadhaa ambazo sote kwa pamoja kama taifa tunahitaji kuzirekebisha:

1. Upungufu wa walimu wenye utalamu wa elimu maalum

2. Upungufu na/au ukosefu wa vifaa saidizi kwa watoto wenye mahitaji maalum

3. Mtazamo juu ya ulemavu na watu wenye ulemavu bado haujaeleweka vizuri

4. Mazingira ya kielimu kwenye shule jumuishi si rafiki kwa wanafunzi wenye mahitaji maalum

Thank you Prude for your inclusion perspectives!

This girl lives in Venice, Italy. She is real working hard to create an inclusive society. Furthermore, she is aware that human beings are different from each other, and that each one needs (regardless of their ability differences) one or more assistance from his/her immediate person. These were her exact words as she passed on the Venice squares and unknowingly passed by a hearing impaired person.

"Feeling guilty, on the way home, passing along the bar i saw a man in his 40-50 staring and saying unclear words full of gesture to me, as i was rushing i just gave him a glance and didn't think he could be talking to me.Whilst contemplating what he was saying, i had a very powerful information in my brain telling me the man was indeed talking to you and he is dumb and uses sign language i felt so bad! I was hearing his words like an echo in my ears and the moves of his hands "sei bella" (you are beautiful), i was sad because i neither smiled nor showed appreciation to a person who is so pure, sincere and sweet. I am here in this world to make an inclusive society not exclusive world. I hope my reaction toward this man didn't make him feel its because of his condition i didn't pay attention to what he was saying. I will be walking on that square hoping to see him again! 

This is for you

 Philemon Sokime Ngiliule !"

How do you consider people with disabilities?

Many people fear the concept about disability more than disability itself. Other people have justified themselves to have distanced themselves from disability. Talking about practical disability one must meet the two opposing junctions. They are about being hero or coward. When people with disabilities overcome mounts of stumbling blocks they become the hero to their world of specialization. Contrary to that, when people with disabilities fail or faint on the way when faced with terrible stumbling environmental blocks they become discouraged, coward; they are real defeated by their immediate world.

Prof Edward Bagandanshwa addressing the mass during the International 

Disability Day ceremony day on 3rd December, 2014 in Iringa region

We real need people with disabilities to be assisted to come out by themselves and become the heroes in their specialized fields. It is you and I who need to stand firm against this junction of being coward; it is you and I who are obliged to assist people with disabilities come out by themselves; it is you and I who are tasked to create the accessible environment to all people. It is real you and I who are required to change our attitudes towards disability and people with disabilities.

Hon. PM, Mizengo crying bitterly  when advocating for 

albinism people during parliament session in Dodoma

Stay blessed today!

Mara nyingine ulemavu ni njia ya kufikia mafanikio

Ni ukweli usiopingika, mtu mwenye ulemavu anapitia changamoto nyingi sana! Inafika mahali mtu mwenye ulemavu anatabiriwa mabaya tu kila wakati. Namkumbuka profesa wangu mmoja mwenye ulemavu, aliniambia kitu cha ajabu sana. Alisema: "Heshima ya mtu mwenye ulemavu inajengwa na mtu mwenyewe mwenye ulemavu". Alitoa historia yake kuhusu shule. Sekondari ya kwanza aliyopangiwa kufundisha walimkataa walimu na wanafunzi wote. Alipopewa dakika 5 za kuonyesha uwezo wake alizitumia kikamilifu, kisha akaaga kuondoka kwa vile hakuwa na nafasi ya kufundisha shule ile kwa sababu za kukataliwa. Alipofika ofisi ya mkuu wa shule tu ili aage kurudi wizarani waliompangia shule, wanafunzi wakatuma mwakilishi ili kuomba msamaha na kumtaka aendelee kuwafundisha. Mwalimu yule alikubali kubaki na kuendelea kufundisha.

Mwaka mwingine mwalimu huyu aliomba kwenda kusoma Masters Chuo Kikuu Cha Dar Es Salaam. Alipofika chuoni wanachuo wenzake wakaulizana: Naye huyu amekuja kusoma? Profesa huyu anasema baada ya wiki mbili walitambua kuwa kweli alikwenda kusoma.

Hayo maneno na kejeli za hapa na pale juu ya ulemavu wake ndiyo yaliyompelekea kuongeza bidii ili kuwahakikishia kwa vitendo kuwa "Ulemavu Si Kukosa Uwezo" (Disability isn't inability). Bila shaka huyu mwalimu asingekuwa profesa kama asingepitia hizi changamoto. Asingekuwa mtu mwenye kujua mengi kuhusu ulemavu kama yeye mwenyewe asingekuwa kwenye hali ya ulemavu halisi.

Sometimes, disability is a golden chance for the hidden opportunities; because through disability state the prudent person finds gains!

Nilimfundisha asidharau watu wenye ulemavu

Kati ya vitu vigumu sana kwa watu wenye ulemavu ni kudharauliwa kwenye jamii zao. Hata wewe waweza kumbuka vitendo hivyo kwa ukaribu.

Naikumbuka siku ile! Nikiwa stationery moja hapa mkoani Morogoro, kwa nje kidogo kuna sofa ya kukaa wateja. Mara akaja kijana mmoja aliyekuwa na mtindio, akakaa kwenye sofa hilo. Katika hilo sofa alikuwa amekaa mama mtu mzima, tena ni mfanyakazi, zaidi ya yote ni mwalimu. Ghafla nikaona yule mama amesimama pembeni mwa sofa huku anajisemea polepole huku akisonya. Nikamwangalia kwa dakika kama tano hivi, nikaona amekosa amani kwa vile lile sofa amekalia kijana mwenye ulemavu.

Nikamsogelea kidogo yule mama, nikamwuliza: Unamfahamu huyu kijana? Akasema hapana! Nikamwambia: Huyu kijana ana mama yake na baba yake. Nikaongeza kwa kumtaarifu kuwa: Ulemavu unaweza kumpata mtu yeyote na wakati wowote wa maisha ya mwanadamu.

Nilichogundua ni kwamba kuna baadhi ya watu hudhani ulemavu wameandikiwa jamii fulani tu ya watu. Pia kwa kukosa uzoefu wa kuchangamana na jamii ya watu wenye ulemavu kunawapelekea wao kuwa na mitazamo ya kibaguzi. Siku inapotokea wamepata watoto wenye ulemavu hawa watu ndio huwaficha ndani watoto wao, au wanawaua mapema kabla hawajawa wakubwa.

Hata kama hawataki kuwaona watu wenye ulemavu, lakini wajue ubinadamu wa binadamu wote unafanana, na kuwa na haki sawa za kimaisha. Pia, binadamu ni mtu yeyote aliyezaliwa na binadamu, na anayo haki ya asili kwa kuwa amezaliwa binadamu bila kujali umbile lake.

Fikiri kijumuishi ~~~ Tenda Kijumuishi ~~~ Jenga Taifa Jumuishi!

Kona za Elimu Maalum/Corners of Special Education

Elimu Maalum ni maalum kwa watu maalum. Hii elimu inahusisha watu wa aina mbili; wakwanza ni yule mhitaji wa elimu hii maalum; na wa pili ni mtu ambaye amejitoa kwa moyo wake wote na kwa nguvu zake zote ili kutoa huduma ya elimu maalum kwa wahitaji wa elimu maalum.

Rose Yona, zao la chuo kikuu cha SEKOMU (Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University); amejikita zaidi katika kusaidia kutafsiri maneno kwa lugha ya alama kwa watu viziwi.

Anajenga jamii jumuishi!

Angalia hii video kwa makini.

Special Education is special for special people. This education involves two kinds of people; the first person being the one who is in need of special education; and the second one is that person who is devoted to intervene the one with special needs and who is exactly needs special education.

Rose Yona, the product of SEKOMU; is devoted to help deaf people to by translating normal words into sign language.

She is creating an inclusive society!

Check this video carefully.

Fikiri Kijumuishi ~~~ Tenda Kijumuishi ~~~ Jenga Taifa Jumuishi!