NCPD celebrates doctorates of its staff members

Two doctors in the house!

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) is celebrating two of their valued staff members who have graduated with their doctorates. Dr. Zukiswa Nzo has just finished her doctorate at Waseda University Graduate School of Social Science in Japan, and Dr. Hanri Kriel obtained her PhD in Drama and Film Studies with Merit colours from the University of Pretoria last year.

In this issue we shine the spotlight on the remarkable academic journey of Dr. Kriel, whose PhD study was aimed at developing better captioning practice in the Afrikaans television market to increase access for deaf and hearing-impaired audiences. Her thesis critiqued existing captioning models and developed inclusive practices that could be extended to all South African audiences in a variety of languages.

She now works as NCPD’s video editor and content creator.

“Life is about stories. A narrative has a beginning, middle, and end, but the norm prevents persons with hearing loss from writing and fulfilling their own story,” says Dr. Kriel.

“My research highlights these barriers in media accessibility and offers solutions to ensure that everyone, regardless of hearing ability, can fully engage with and contribute to the storytelling experience.”.

The importance of Dr. Kriel’s work cannot be overstated. In 2021, the University of Pretoria presented on the World Report on Hearing within the South African context that 12 million South Africans have some form of hearing loss and 3.6 million require treatments, of whom less than 10% are receiving any treatment. This paints a picture of a population that is challenged in consuming media content.

“Dr. Kriel’s work fills a vital gap in media accessibility,” states Therina Wentzel, the National Director of NCPD. “Her pioneering work not only contributes to academic knowledge but offers tangible solutions for expanding media accessibility. Her personal experience and professional success embody NCPD’s vision of removing barriers and enabling persons with disabilities to take part fully in society.”

Alienation by media is especially acute in the case of the deaf, who, through improper or insufficient captioning, risk missing important information, entertainment, and cultural content. This barrier is against Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which speaks to equal access to information and communications.

Dr. Kriel’s thesis also showed that a mere fraction of prime Afrikaans as well as English programming currently has available subtitles and captions, demonstrating the critical need for change in the South African television and film industry. Her thesis offers realistic answers to the introduction of more viable captioning mechanisms, weighing both technical demands and the diversity of viewers with hearing loss. The research concentrated specifically on existing captioning procedures and where and how they can be improved for local ‘language’.

“Dr. Kriel’s appointment enhances NCPD’s role in the advancement of full inclusion and accessibility,” Wentzel adds. “Her work has direct implications for Article 30 of the UNCRPD, the right to participation in cultural life, such as television programmes and films in accessible formats. Her work will inform policy directives and industry practice towards more media accessibility in South Africa.”

Dr. Kriel’s qualifications also include a Master’s in Communication Studies Cum Laude at North-West University, where she studied videography as a major. Her extensive experience in television production, including work at Blixem Productions on high-profile productions and other media outlets, adds valuable practical insight to her research and current practice as a staff member of NCPD.

“The whole NCPD family joins in congratulating Dr. Kriel on this amazing accomplishment,” says Wentzel. “Her tenacity, knowledge, and dedication to making media more inclusive motivate us all. We are so lucky to have her on our team and can’t wait to put her research outcomes into practice in our push for greater media inclusion.”

Adding onto the subject matter at the back of an ongoing litigation case, Chairperson of the NCPD, Alex Msitshana, added, “Access to information is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Open captions transform our news broadcasts into platforms of inclusion, ensuring that no one is left in silence. When we make information accessible to everyone, we empower every citizen to participate fully in our society.”

See on-going Court case details: https://ncpd.org.za/challenges-faced-in-ICASA-hearing-a-fight-for-access-to-information/

We are also proud of Dr. Zukiswa Nzo’s success at Waseda University and hope to feature her remarkable story and work towards disability rights in our future issues.

Having two doctoral graduates in our midst strengthens the capacity of NCPD to advocate vigorously for the rights and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all facets of society.