Persons with disabilities, including persons with visual impairment throughout the world, continue to be denied the right to work. According to the UN statistics on disability and employment, 80 per cent to 90 per cent of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed in developing countries. The situation is worse for persons with visual impairment as less than one per cent get decent work and employment.

In Rwanda, continued efforts are being made to ensure fair and equitable employment opportunities for all. Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) recruited and deployed seven visually impaired teachers across the country in 2022. The goal is for teachers with visual impairment to have access to the same opportunities for career advancement and to deliver on the job to the best of their ability as their non-disabled peers. However, all twenty-two teachers currently deployed in primary and secondary schools across the country have reported barriers preventing them from fully participating in daily school activities, including fulfilling their teaching responsibilities.

In line with the above background, from 8^th October 2022, REB with the support of World Bank through Inclusive Education Initiative organized a 4-day workshop to train headteachers and teachers with visual impairment on the rights of persons with disabilities to work as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its Optional Protocol which Rwanda ratified on December 15, 2008.  This workshop themed:"Towards an Inclusive Employment:Making Work Accessible for Blind and Partially Sighted Teachers.

This workshop was conducted to serve the following objectives: Raise awareness of headteachers and teachers with visual impairment in UNCRPD with a focus on Article 27 on the right to work and employment, explore attitudes towards blindness, and actions to enable teachers with visual impairment to exercise their rights at work; Provide evidence-based resources and strategies to teachers with visual impairment and their respective headteachers, including the provision of reasonable accommodations and use of assistive technology in the teaching and learning process; Strengthen/develop capacity regarding orientation and mobility skills.

In the workshop, teachers with visual impairment from different schools had a panel discussion to share their teaching experience with others. This was aimed to motivate their colleagues so that they can even surpass other teachers who are not disabled.

Speaking with visual impaired teachers and headteachers , Director General of Rwanda Basic Education Board, Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana mentioned that the knowledge gained in the workshop should have an  impact on the desired quality education,’ “ what you have acquired here in a workshop should to be the trigger towards quality education, we need improvement in teaching process and be the role model to others.” He said

The visual impaired teachers were given laptops which incorporated some of  technological software’s  which can help the visual impaired teachers. “You are given special laptops today, please make sure you train yourself to be friendly with ICT, and the Government of Rwanda will continue to support every teacher regardless of any disability. You need to be confident,you are able! since some of you were selected as best performing teachers in previous years.” Director General of REB said.

Teachers with visual impairment were awarded laptops

DG REB ( left) and Director of ICT Devices Unit at REB (right).

Teachers with visual impairment were awarded laptops

Teachers had panel discussion to share their teaching experience with others.

Director General of REB, Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana addressing the participants of the workshop.

Teachers with visual impairment were happy to participate in this workshop

Teachers with visual impairment and headteachers had a chance to discuss in groups.