Sam, you are right.
In my previous appointment, my two assistants were University graduates, one of
them being a lawyer. The nature of work demanded just that. The guide was a
driver, and the personal skills and attributes of the guide depended on the
tips I gave him as to what I required of him. In my current office, I require
no less of a Diploma holder, a person conversant with library research in
addition to being a proficient reader.
I have been in discussion with Lawrence on this matter and it would appear that
an average Form 4 certificate holder is for all practical purposes
semi-illiterate, particularly the men who could double up as a driver. While
basic training helps in very general terms, I can assure you that the rest
depends on you, the caliber of the person you get and your specific needs.You
can train someone to be a good guide in a couple of hours, but you can't train
them to be good readers or task executors otherwise than on job. Those are my
personal views, which might not necessarily match those of others.
Dr. K I Laibuta
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator
P.O.Box 6455-00300
NAIROBI
Cell:0722521708; 0788344111
Email:kilaibuta@xxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: sopvid-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sopvid-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Samuel Kabue
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2016 9:31 PM
To: sopvid@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sopvid] Re: Discussion on guides and personal assistants for the VI
Dear Stanley and all,
I agree with you that the personal assistant one has will either hinder or
enhance the performance of a person with visual impairment. However, I do not
think that training is the key issue as this kind of work very much depends on
both the attitude and the qualification of the individual personal
assistant. Attitude may be changed on the job where possible but the other
factor is what needs attendtion. Every job calls for specific qualification
and the type and level of the job held by the person who needs assistance is a
major factor in choosing the personal assistant. If you teach in Primary
school, an average form four person with the necessary drive should be able to
help you. However, If your job entails marking scripts from the University
students or making presentation in which you need specialized computer skills
like preparing power points or excel sheets , an average form four assistnat
wil find a lot of challenges in helping you. If you are a member of Parliament
or a Commisioner in one of the constitutional Commision, your assistant should
be a person who is able to go to the library and cary out research to enhance
your knowledge base and to keep you abreast with your expected role. If you are
a social worker or an administrator, this research role may equally apply. At
times, your personal assistant may play other roles like driving in
addition to the professional roles if there is no room for such. This bring to
question the Sarah Selem level of remuneration for personal assistnats which
does not make this ddistinction. She seem to have taken the role of guiding as
the most important but my argument is that the professional level of the
assistnat need to be such that consideration is made for the other roles at
professional level such an assistnat will be required to play. As for the
training, each principal should be able to train their personal assistnat in
accordance with their expectation. These are my views but I am open to
challenges and criticism.
Sam.
-----Original Message-----
From: sopvid-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sopvid-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Stan Mutuma
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2016 3:49 PM
To: sopvid <sopvid@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [sopvid] Discussion on guides and personal assistants for the VI
Dear SOPVID fraternity,
I trust you have been well and Our Dear Lord has kept you in good health and
spirits Kindly find the attached on going discussion regarding the issue of
guides and personal assistants for the VI.
Kindly go through the attached document and give your input.
With kind regards and best wishes,
Stan
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