“How cool is that?”, said Jim, as he was told about the new computers in the public library in his suburb. In particular, Jim was delighted that one of the six available PCs was equipped to cater for blind and visually impaired users by providing both screen-reading and magnification software. This meant something to Jim READ MORE
Author: Janey
Performing Under Pressure
Like countless others, I watched, read and listened in impotent and morbid fascination of the horrors unfolding in Ukraine. But one rather different interview caught my ear this morning, while listening to the BBC. It was the manager of the Ukrainian winter Paralympic team, still competing in Beijing. Speaking in excellent English, with exhausted clarity, READ MORE
Jeremy Opperman appointed to Rotary’s DEI Taskforce
In September 2020, Rotary created the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) task force that is charged with shaping a comprehensive action plan with achievable, measurable and meaningful outcomes. Rotary Africa, the regional Rotary magazine, in its March 2022 edition introduced members to Jeremy.
Paws for Thought:
“Ok, left, left, good boy!”“Find the pole, find the pole, good boy!”“Wait, ok, forward.”“Find the kerb, good boy.”“Find the pole, good boy!”“Forward, find the kerb, good boy!” And so begins Jeremy and Guide-Dog Ronnie’s journey to a nearby park.
I’m a Rotarian Podcast: Gwen Jones interviews Jeremy Opperman
Everyone knows the Rotary wheel, you’ve seen it on benches, or a school playground. But do you know any Rotarians? NO? Well, this is the podcast to fix that. Join producer and Rotarian Gwen Jones as she interviews some of the many men, women, famous or under the radar Rotarians that live all around the READ MORE
A Brief Overview of Blindness in South Africa
by Jeremy Opperman and Lois Strachan To say that South Africa was a complex country with regard to disability in general and blindness in particular would be a woeful understatement. Some explanation and historical context may be helpful. South Africa as a democratic country is less than 30 years old. Prior to 1994 SA was READ MORE
Disability and Recruitment (Clip 3/3)
In the last of this three-video series, Jeremy unpacks the thorny issue of ‘reasonable accommodation’ in the context of the employment of People with Disabilities (PWDs). Using examples and anecdotes, he guides viewers through best practice and things not to do. He also introduces the practice of competency-based recruitment and wraps up by outlining five READ MORE
Disability and Recruitment (Clip 2/3)
In the second of this three video series, Jeremy analyses the employment cycle in the context of disability employment. Drawing on colorful anecdotes and case studies, he focuses primarily on the dangers of unlawful practices, stereotyping and the lack of political will in the employment of persons with disabilities.
Disability and Recruitment (Clip 1/3)
In the first of a three-video series, Jeremy addresses the fundamentals of employing People with Disabilities (PWDs). He also highlights the challenges facing employers, and emphasises the need to engage with these challenges so that barriers to successful recruitment are addressed. Jeremy focuses strongly on ignorance and attitude as the primary barriers to disability inclusion. READ MORE
Forget Disability Day. How about Disability Year?
On the eve of yet another International Disability Day, on 3 December, I find myself, as I always do at this time of year, pondering the point of this day. Like many thinkers in the area of disability mainstreaming, I tend to be rather cynical about the day and am inclined to ask why we pay attention READ MORE