Education, Training and Development Adult Learning

Maintaining Communication Equipment For Blind And Visually Impaired Users Training

SAQA US 117851 | NQF 5 | Credits 9 | Duration 6 Days
From $1,382 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to maintain communication equipment specifically designed for blind and visually impaired users. Participants will learn to identify, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on assistive technologies such as screen readers, Braille displays, and voice-activated systems. The training ensures that communication devices remain accessible, reliable, and functional for users with visual impairments.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to identify common communication equipment used by blind and visually impaired users, including screen readers, Braille devices, and voice-activated systems.
  • Apply troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in assistive communication devices.
  • Implement routine maintenance procedures to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of communication equipment.
  • Evaluate the accessibility features of communication devices and recommend upgrades or adjustments to meet user needs.
  • Design a maintenance schedule for assistive technologies, considering user feedback and usage patterns.
  • Analyze the impact of environmental factors on the functionality of communication equipment and propose mitigation strategies.

Target Audience

Technicians, support staff, and IT professionals responsible for maintaining assistive communication technologies in educational, corporate, or public service environments. This course is also suitable for caregivers and family members who support blind or visually impaired individuals.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Understanding Assistive Technology and Accessibility Needs

Objectives:
• Understand the types of visual impairments and their impact on communication equipment use
• Identify common assistive technologies for blind and visually impaired users
• Recognise accessibility standards and legal requirements in South Africa
• Describe the role of communication equipment in daily life for visually impaired users

Topics:
• Overview of visual impairments: blindness, low vision, colour blindness
• Introduction to assistive technologies: screen readers, magnifiers, Braille displays
• South African accessibility legislation (e.g., Promotion of Access to Information Act)
• Universal design principles for communication equipment
• User needs assessment: communication barriers and preferences
• Ethical considerations and user-centred approach

Day 2: Hardware Fundamentals and Adaptive Interfaces

Objectives:
• Identify key hardware components of communication devices (phones, computers, radios)
• Explain how adaptive interfaces (e.g., tactile buttons, voice control) work
• Demonstrate basic maintenance of hardware for accessibility features
• Troubleshoot common hardware issues affecting accessibility

Topics:
• Anatomy of communication devices: buttons, ports, screens, speakers
• Adaptive hardware: Braille keyboards, large-print keypads, tactile markers
• Maintenance of physical components: cleaning, battery care, cable management
• Common hardware faults: unresponsive buttons, audio distortion, screen issues
• Practical exercise: disassembly and reassembly of a basic device
• Safety procedures when handling equipment

Day 3: Software Accessibility and Configuration

Objectives:
• Install and configure screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS) and magnification software
• Adjust system settings for high contrast, large text, and audio feedback
• Manage accessibility shortcuts and voice commands
• Troubleshoot software conflicts and update issues

Topics:
• Overview of accessibility software for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
• Step-by-step installation and configuration of screen readers
• Customising magnification levels and colour filters
• Voice control setup: Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana
• Software maintenance: updates, compatibility checks, backups
• Hands-on lab: configuring a device for a simulated user scenario

Day 4: Networking and Connectivity for Accessible Communication

Objectives:
• Set up and maintain Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections accessible to visually impaired users
• Use voice-controlled assistants for network management
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues with accessible tools
• Understand security considerations for assistive technology users

Topics:
• Accessible network setup: voice-guided Wi-Fi configuration, Bluetooth pairing
• Using screen readers to navigate network settings
• Troubleshooting common connectivity problems: signal loss, pairing failures
• Security best practices: strong passwords, two-factor authentication with accessibility
• Assistive technology for emergency communication: fallback options
• Practical exercise: configuring a smartphone for a visually impaired user

Day 5: Advanced Maintenance and Repair Techniques

Objectives:
• Diagnose and repair hardware faults in assistive communication devices
• Replace batteries, screens, and tactile components safely
• Perform software recovery and system restores without visual feedback
• Implement preventive maintenance schedules

Topics:
• Advanced diagnostics: using multimeters, audio testing, tactile inspection
• Component replacement: batteries, screens, keypads, speakers
• Software recovery: safe mode, system restore, reinstallation with screen reader
• Preventive maintenance: cleaning, firmware updates, backup routines
• Managing warranties and sourcing replacement parts
• Hands-on workshop: repairing a damaged device

Day 6: Integration, Training, and Support Strategies

Objectives:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of maintained equipment for end-users
• Develop user training materials in accessible formats
• Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting guidance
• Ensure compliance with SAQA unit standard 117851 outcomes

Topics:
• User acceptance testing: gathering feedback from visually impaired users
• Creating accessible documentation: Braille, large print, audio, electronic
• Training end-users: one-on-one and group sessions
• Setting up remote support tools for ongoing assistance
• Documentation of maintenance logs and compliance records
• Final assessment: practical demonstration of maintenance skills

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Thu 10 Sep 2026 Thu 17 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,382 Register
Wed 30 Sep 2026 Wed 07 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,382 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Mon 03 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,382 Register
Fri 21 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,382 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
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Fri 30 Jul 2027 Fri 06 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,798 Register
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Tue 26 Oct 2027 Tue 02 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,798 Register
Wed 15 Dec 2027 Wed 22 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Tue 11 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Mon 31 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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