Topic 1.2: The use of Braille in Rwanda
This topic focuses on current usage of Braille in Rwanda.
Braille was introduced in Rwanda in 1978 at Home de la Vierge des Pauvre (HVP) Gatagara; an education center established for persons with disabilities. The center was established by Home de la Vierge des Pauvre (HVP), a Roman Catholic Organization for visually impaired learners in 1978 (Karangwa et al, 2013). Since then, braille continued to be used in supporting learners with visual difficulties.
Currently, there are schools established to offer education to leaners with visual difficulties. In Rwanda, such schools are categorized as either special schools or inclusive schools. Special schools include Groupe Scolaire HVP Rwamagana in Rwamagana district, Kibeho School for the blind in Nyaruguru district, and Blessing school located in Musanze district. Inclusive schools include G S Gahini and a number of other inclusive schools that are emerging. At the University of Rwanda and more specifically the college of education, and college of arts and social sciences accommodate students with visual difficulties and facilitate their learning. Use of Braille is an essential element in the support provided to students with visual difficulties.
Braille diversity
There are two types of braille used in different schools that admit learners with visual difficulties in Rwanda. Some schools use British English Braille and others use French Braille.
Efforts to harmonize the types of braille used in Rwanda are underway. In this CPD, preference is given to British English Braille as language of instruction in Rwandan schools.
