Disability Connect

Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases – an overview

Disability Spotlight, In Focus / Disability Connect

12 May has been designated as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) since 1992. The CIND illnesses include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM). May 12th is the birthday of nurse Florence Nightingale, who lived with a debilitating illness resembling ME or fibromyalgia. She achieved great things […]

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High-tech multimedia centre for special needs students opens at Vhembe TVET College

In Focus, In the News / Disability Connect

The TVET college provides holistic courses that accommodate learners despite their physical and partially sighted limitations. The MTN SA Foundation, in partnership with Office of Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, has launched a state-of-the-art multimedia centre for students with disabilities at Vhembe TVET in Makwarele Campus, Limpopo. The innovative development,

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Doubling down on accessibility: Microsoft’s next steps to expand accessibility in technology, the workforce and workplace

Assistive Technology, Product Reviews / Disability Connect

Written by Brad Smith, Microsoft President More than 1 billion people around the world live with a disability, and at some point, most of us likely will face some type of temporary, situational or permanent disability. The practical impacts are huge. Employment and education rates are lower and poverty rates are higher for people with disabilities. And

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Advocate Jan Tladi: Being visually impaired does not hold this NWU alumnus and PhD graduate back

In Focus, In the News / Disability Connect

Disability is not inability. Advocate Jan Tladi confirmed the truth of this statement when he defied the odds and became the first completely blind student to graduate with a PhD from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus. Jan enrolled at the NWU Business School in Mahikeng in 2017, and successfully completed his degree in 2020.

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The story of eradicating polio in Africa

In Focus / Disability Connect

In a TIME Magazine article in 2018, Dr Tunji Funsho, a former cardiologist and chair of Rotary International’s polio-eradication programme in Nigeria, said that they were in a hurry to make sure no more children become paralysed by polio. In August 2020, Nigeria was officially declared polio-free, eliminating the virus from the last country in Africa.

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A spotlight on bipolar mood disorder

Disability Spotlight, In Focus / Disability Connect

By Life Mental Health, a leading provider of private mental health services in South Africa provided by the Life Healthcare Group The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of emotional and mental support for all persons, especially those diagnosed with a chronic mental health condition, including but not limited to major depression, bipolar mood disorders,

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Five ways companies can improve disability inclusiveness

Corporate Showcase, In the workplace / Disability Connect

Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way people function, and the ability they have to participate in society. Every member of society should enjoy the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life in a professional and personal capacity. Disability inclusiveness involves creates a welcoming, user-friendly environment for all team players, which

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How to talk to kids about disability inclusion

In Focus, Lifestyle / Disability Connect

By Godfrey Nanyenya Parents of this and future generations hold the key for engineering an inclusive society where everyone belongs. It’s up to them to teach the next generations to embrace disability as diversity. Although the disability rights movement has made immense progress over the years, we still have a long way to go. We must

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Autism acceptance is critical to building a truly inclusive society

Disability Spotlight / Disability Connect

Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America penned a powerful article recently about the difference between autism “awareness” and autism “acceptance” and why the two must go hand in hand if we are to become a truly inclusive society. While his narrative is US-focused, these are universal truths that apply as

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Rectron SA: Helping those with Cerebral Palsy bridge the digital divide

Graduates, Learnerships & Workplace Readiness, Thought Leadership / Disability Connect

FUTURE-FOCUSED SOCIAL INVESTMENT Recognising how difficult 2020 was for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of South Africa (UCPA), Rectron South Africa donated ICT equipment valued at R171 104 to the organisation. The company believes that “ICT equipment is an enabler, which is why this year we want to give these essential tools to those who

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