| | https://www.sun.ac.za/si | Stellenbosch University Telerehabilitation Initiative (SUTI) | The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and related government regulations hindered access to rehabilitation for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities [1]. The delivery of rehabilitation requires often demands close contact between the provider and patients and physical distance regulations are therefore not possible. In addition, important aspects for optimal functioning and participation such as home assessments were not possible during the pandemic. A person with disabilities is dependent on access to rehabilitation to attain optimal function for social and economic livelihood [2]. Due to limited access to rehabilitation during the pandemic, new and innovative service modes, such as telerehabilitation (TR) are critically needed to support people with all levels of disability.TR is an emerging segment of telehealth and telemedicine that has been considered as a suitable alternative health care delivery system. TR uses electronic or digital information and communication technologies to deliver quality, accessible, cost-effective and efficient rehabilitation services where distance is a critical factor [3-6]. In order to overcome the crisis due to COVID-19, TR should be adopted as soon as possible because it allows individuals to continue rehabilitation services in their own social and vocational settings, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection. In response to the disruption of rehabilitation services due to COVID-19, the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences pioneered the Telerehabilitation Initiative (SUTI) in November 2020. The purpose was to develop a model of telerehabilitation to complement clinical training in the three rehabilitation divisions (Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language therapy) and to bring complement rehabilitation service to individuals who sustain impairments that could lead to functional limitations and participation restrictions. SUTI is currently being implemented in Bishop Lavis Rehabilitation Centre, while five more sites are participating in a readiness assessment. The COVID- pandemic has disrupted the delivery of rehabilitation services, resulting in an extensive and increasing waiting list and waiting time. Failure to address this issue will result in deterioration in the health, functioning and economic livelihoods of people with disabilities. Thus, the purpose of this application is to request funding to increase awareness and provide access (e.g., providing data) to rehabilitation services for those in need by using TR, a COVID- safe, evidence-based, innovative service delivery mode that has the potential to positively impact communities during and beyond the pandemic. | 1427 | | |
| | https://www.sun.ac.za/si | Rail Safety for Primary Schools | Proposal for Rail Safety Education and Awareness for Primary School Learners1. IntroductionThis is a project proposal for rail safety education and awareness for primary schools, while at the same time expose learners to Science, Engineering and Technology. A similar initiative was planned in March 2020 for learners of the Spark School in Lynedoch and the St. Vincent RC School in Koelenhof, but the outreach was stopped because of Covid-19. This proposal builds on the proposal of 2020, and it is hoped that Covid-19 will allow the initiative to be executed as planned.2. BackgroundEvery year there are many rail incidents that are investigated by the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR), such as collisions between trains, derailments, accidents at level crossings, accidents at station platforms and people struck by trains (PSBT). PSBT incidents are the most concerning and most often caused by the ignorance or recklessness of people, resulting in 264 fatalities and around injuries in 2019/2020. These numbers are shocking as one injury or one fatality is already one too many.Since the 2010/11 reporting period, the Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces recorded 85% of the PSBT incidents during movement of rolling stock, of which the Western Cape recorded 25% or 125 incidents. During the 2019/2020 reporting year the contribution of the Western Cape increased to 28%, which is reason for concern.3. The proposalIt is believed that PSBT incidents can be reduced through rail safety education and awareness initiatives, something which the RSR also regard to be important. It is further believed that the most benefit will be achieved if rail safety and awareness initiatives are focussed on children, not only will children themselves then understand the dangers around trains and railway lines, but they can also identify unsafe practices and tell their family, friends, other children and adults about rail safety. It is not known how many PSTB incidents are recorded for children, but it is never too early to do rail awareness in a child's life. Therefore, this rail safety initiative is focussed on intermediate phase primary school learners and aims to: 1) teach the learners about rail safety in a practical way, and 2) expose those learners to SET (Science, Engineering and Technology). Detail of each aim is as follows:Aim 1 : Rail safety and awarenessFor the rail safety and awareness the learners will be transported to Winelands Light Rail (WLR) near Koelenhof, Stellenbosch (https://www.winelandsrail.co.za/ ). WLR operates a miniature railway system using electrical and steam operated locomotives (see Figure 2). During an interactive session at WLR they will be taught about rail safety, the safe crossing of railway tracks, behaviour at a station platform, behaviour when onboard a train, personal hygiene, etc. After the formal rail safety programme, the learners will be allowed to ride on the trains and apply what was learned. The learners will also enjoy lunch at WLR and be engaged in recreational activities.This initiative partnered with the RSR, Ms Daphne Kayster (now retired Marketing and Promotions Manager for Metrorail in the Western Cape) and Prof Neels Fourie (now retired Chair of the PRASA Engineering Research Chair). Ms Kayster and Prof Fourie have vast experience in railways, education, and railway safety, and the RSR will provide promotional material for the learners and rail safety posters for the schools.Aim 2: Exposure to Science, Engineering and Technology (SET)The learners will then visit the SUNSTEP (Science Technology Education Programme, http://SUNSTEP.co.za/ ) facility at the Engineering Faculty of Stellenbosch University (SU). SUNSTEP (Stellenbosch University Science Technology in Electronics Programme) aims to inspire learners for SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) by exposing them to basic practical engineering and knowledge (see Figure 3). It is done through the assembling of an electronic device and SUNSTEP will provide the electronic kits, tools, and the guidance in how to assemble the kits in their well-equipped laboratories. The learners will be taught the basics of electronics, the use of tools (such as soldering irons, pliers, screw drivers) and assisted in assembling a kit that they can then take home. It is hoped that some learners will be inspired and continue their studies in SET one day. There are two types of electronic kits that are appropriate for intermediate phase primary school learners, and only one will be built by a group of learners:Dark activated light: With this kit one saves energy, as the light will switch on only when it becomes dark. It can be switched on in the morning before work but will light when dark.Alarm: When completed, it demonstrates knowledge and understanding of how simple electronic circuits and devices are used to make an output respond to an input signal (e.g., resistors, LED's, transistors, switches. 4. Detail of the proposalOne school will be included in the programme at each outreach, and 60 learners can be accommodated at each outreach. The visit to WLR and SU will occur on the same day and to limit the number of learners at each facility, two groups will alternate between the facilities. While the first group build the electronic kit at SUNSTEP, the second group will follow the rail safety programme at WLR. The two groups then get together at WLR for lunch and recreational activities and swap after lunch, where the first group will follow the rail safety programme at WLR and the second group build the electronic kit at SUNSTEP. It is planned that teachers from the schools will join the initiative to assist with supervision and discipline. The proposed programme for the day is shown in Table 1. Table 1 : Proposed programme for Rail Safety Education and Awareness for Primary SchoolsGroup 1 learnersTimeslotGroup 2 learnersTravel from school to SU08h15-08h45Travel from school to WLRSafety briefing and built electronic kit at SUNSTEP08h45-10h30Safety briefing and Rail Programme at WLRTravel from SU to WLR10h30-11h00Rail Programme at WLR (continue)Lunch and recreational time at WLR11h00-12h00Lunch and recreational time at WLRSafety briefing and Rail Programme at WLR12h00-12h30Travel from WLR to SURail Programme at WLR (continue)12h30-14h30Safety briefing and built electronic kit at SUNSTEPTravel from WLR to school14h30-15h00Travel from SU to school Key points of the initiative:The initiative will focus on schools in and around Stellenbosch, and the schools will be identified in collaboration with SU. Typical selection criteria will be whether the children are exposed to railway lines where they live, exposed to railway lines while they travel to school, whether they use trains to travel or whether there are railway lines close or around the school. There are four initiatives planned during the school holidays of 2022: one outreach in the April holiday, two outreaches in the June/July holiday, one outreach in the September holiday.One school will be identified per outreach and two groups of 30 learners each will be accommodated per outreach. Teachers will be asked to accompany the groups to assist with the activities and for the supervision of the leaners. Health and Safety is of outmost importance and the numbers are reduced to only 30 learners per group. The ruling Covid 19 requirements at the time will be followed (e.g. use of masks, hand sanitiser, etc), and safety briefings will be done before each activity. Transport will be arranged by SU to transport he learners from their school to WLR or SUNSTEP.A lunch pack will be provided to all learners and assistants, which will be enjoyed at WLR. After lunch time will be allowed for recreational activities and free play at WLR. 5. CollaboratorsThe initiative is a collaboration between the Gibela Engineering Research Chair, and/or PRASA Engineering Research Chair, SUNSTEP, RSR, WLR and the schools. The reason why PRASA Engineering Research Chair is referred to as “and/or" is because at the time of writing this proposal, it was not certain whether the PRASA Engineering Research Chair would continue in 2022. The collaborators, their contact details and contributions are summarised in Table 2.Table 2 : Detail of collaborators for the initiativeCollaboratorContact personContact numberContact emailContributionPRASA, through the PRASA Engineering Research ChairPieter ConradieOlabanji Asekun072 264 3451074 637 0735pieterc@sun.ac.zaasekun@sun.ac.zaPossible funding, rail expertise (if continued in 2022)Gibela, through the Gibela Engineering Research ChairPieter Conradie072 264 3451pieterc@sun.ac.zaPossible funding, rail expertise, programme coordinationWinelands Light RailGisela KeyserAndries Keyser082 326 18250622061906info@winelandsrail.co.zaResponsible for venue for rail safety, lunch, recreational activitiesSUNSTEPMiranda MyburghWerner Mybrugh083 212 1356076 931 5895mmyburgh@sun.ac.zawmyburgh@sun.ac.zaResponsible for the building of electronic kits Rail Safety RegulatorSiviwe Xola087 284 6635siviwe.xola@rsr.org.zaSupport, promotional material for learners, posters for schoolsPrivateDaphne Kayster065 551 6560kaysterd@gmail.comAssist with rail safety programme at WLR, experience in railways, education, and railway safetyPrivateProf CJ Fourie082 809 3140cjf@sun.ac.zaAssist with rail safety programme at WLR, experience in railways, education, and railway safety 6. FundingTable 3 gives a cost breakdown of the initiative and the cost of R50 000 is indicative of one outreach, exclusive of VAT. It is expected that part funding will be sourced from the Gibela Engineering Research Chair and/or the PRASA Engineering Research Chair, and that the RSR will sponsor promotional material for learners and posters for the schools.Table 3 : Proposed funding for the initiative WLR (including lunch)R 15 000SUNSTEP (including electronic kits)R 10 000Transport (2 busses)R 10 000Rail experts (Ms Kayster, Prof Fourie)R 10 000Extras R 5 000Total CostR50 000 7. Conclusion This initiative is supported by the Engineering Faculty, the RSR and the respective Chairs, it has the potential to create a legacy and contribute to the well-being of our nation.8. Abbreviations:FWIFatalities and weighted injuriesPSBTPeople struck by trains RSRRail Safety RegulatorSETScience, Engineering and TechnologySUStellenbosch UniversitySUNSTEPStellenbosch University Science Technology in Electronics ProgrammeWLRWinelands Light Rail | 1431 | | |
