Disability Spotlight

March is recognised as Intellectual Disability Awareness Month — a time dedicated to increasing understanding, challenging misconceptions and promoting inclusion. An intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins before the age of 18 and continues into adulthood. It affects how a person learns, reasons, solves problems and manages everyday life. For a diagnosis to

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) says the wave of school closures triggered by protests in KwaZulu-Natal lays bare a deeper failure in South Africa’s inclusive-education system. The NCPD reports that in October 2025, 38 special schools in KwaZulu-Natal remained closed as locked gates symbolised protests by parents and educators demanding

Mental health still carries too much silence. In this honest reflection, one woman shares what decades of living with bipolar disorder have taught her about resilience, acceptance, and finding strength in support. By Carolyn Louise Erasmus Living with bipolar disorder has been one of the defining parts of my life, but not the only one.

October marks Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa—a time to recognise the urgent need for accessible, community-based care. SADAG’s work stands at the centre of that effort, connecting thousands of people each year to support, understanding, and hope. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is the country’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading preventable cause of developmental disability worldwide, and South Africa bears the heaviest burden. National estimates suggest one in twelve children is affected, with even higher rates reported in provinces such as the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In a typical class of forty pupils, two or three