Disability Connect

Learnerships are key to developing people with disabilities

November is Disability Awareness Month, which is the perfect time to shine the spotlight on the fact that while 7.5% of the South African population live with disabilities, only 1% of these individuals have jobs, says Sean Sharp, head of sales for EduPower Skills Academy. Sharp adds that this, however, is not unique to South Africa. Worldwide, […]

Learnerships are key to developing people with disabilities Read More »

Poetry competition gives disabled poets a voice

Disabled poets, their family and caregivers have the opportunity to enter the AVBOB poetry competition. South Africa celebrates National Disability Rights Awareness Month annually for the duration of a month from November 3 to December 3, the latter being International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A disability is an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental,

Poetry competition gives disabled poets a voice Read More »

Two sisters create a dating app that aims to ‘make love accessible’

As she recovered from hip surgery, Jacqueline Child sent a message to a man she had met through a popular dating app. She wanted to let him know she couldn’t do anything too strenuous on their date, but they could have dinner together. By Theresa Vargas – Washington Post She still hasn’t forgotten the conversation

Two sisters create a dating app that aims to ‘make love accessible’ Read More »

Partnering to provide opportunities to people with disabilities

Through an annual fundraising initiative, young people in the disabled community are provided with the opportunity to enter the job market and contribute meaningfully to the economy. Last month the country celebrated the annual fundraising initiative, Casual Day – South Africa’s leading fundraising and awareness campaign for people with disabilities and the flagship project of

Partnering to provide opportunities to people with disabilities Read More »

Smart glasses let deaf people see conversations in real-time

What if everything you said was immediately subtitled and shared with deaf people around you? That seems to be the idea behind XRAI Glass, a new software solution being paired with Nreal’s AR glasses. The software allows users to connect the glasses directly to their Android phone and then have conversations around them subtitled directly

Smart glasses let deaf people see conversations in real-time Read More »

Flying a kite for mental health in Manenberg

Brightly coloured kites of rainbows, birds and sea life briskly flew in the sky above the Heideveld Sports Field in Manenberg, Cape Town as hundreds of children, parents and caregivers participated in Cape Mental Health’s kite festival. Text by Mary-Anne Gontsana. Photos by Ashraf Hendricks – GroundUp Founded in 1913, Cape Mental Health provides essential

Flying a kite for mental health in Manenberg Read More »

Watch – “Closing the Doors” – Inaccessibility in SA’s public transport

The National Council of and for People with Disabilities (NCPDSA) highlights the difficulties everyday activities like riding public transport can be for differently abled people. South African Rap artist, 2JHarmonix, born with muscular dystrophy, takes us on a typical journey which demonstrates how simple, avoidable things like unkept pavements and lack of clear signage turn

Watch – “Closing the Doors” – Inaccessibility in SA’s public transport Read More »

Engen and the DEET help disabled artisans enter the workplace

Engen has partnered with the Disability Economic Empowerment Trust (DEET) to launch an artisan training programme for 100 people living with disabilities that will assist them with the skills required to enter the job market. By Rising Sun Engen and the DEET have worked together since 2019 on various initiatives, aimed at enhancing the quality

Engen and the DEET help disabled artisans enter the workplace Read More »

The importance of creating awareness of Invisible Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Learning

The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) defines an invisible disability as a physical, a mental or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside yet can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities. By Tandokazi Silosini The Rhodes University Student Disability policy states that “the pursuit of equity is integral to the University’s

The importance of creating awareness of Invisible Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Learning Read More »