Meeting the needs of disabled children

A baby is denied critical heart surgery by a provincial hospital because he
has a disability. Villagers try to burn disabled children who are believed
to have been raised from the dead to work for witches. A mentally disabled
child is chained to a tree every day because his mother is unable to cope
with his behaviour. A deaf boy attends school for years, but learns little
from teachers who are unable to communicate with him. Sexual offenders prey
on isolated and dependent disabled children who can't run away or give
evidence.

These stories have made South African media headlines in recent months and
are a stark reminder of the needs of children with disabilities. The vast
majority of human rights violations against disabled children and their lack
of access to basic social services remain unreported.

Ignorance, stereotypes, prejudice, cultural myths and fears around
disability prevail in South African society. Lack of access to information
prevents parents of disabled children from seeking assistance from social
services that may be available to them.

"There are few statistics available on the prevalence of childhood
disability, but it could be as high as five percent of South African
children," says Andrew K Dube, managing director of Samaita Associates.
"What is clear, however, is that their needs are not being adequately met
and this must urgently be addressed."

Dube's company has recently been commissioned by the Nelson Mandela
Children's Fund to undertake a study of the needs of disabled children in
South Africa.

"Addressing the needs of children with disabilities requires the
participation of all sectors of society," Dube says. "For this reason, we
are calling upon all interested organisations with programmes or projects
that benefit disabled children to participate in our survey on the funding
needs in this area."

The organisations may include groups of parents of disabled children,
disabled people's organisations and other institutions that have a direct or
indirect interest in the needs of disabled children.

Samaita Associates is interested in why the programmes or projects that
benefit disabled children were started; how many children are benefiting
from them; the areas of need they address; and who started the programmes.
It is also asking for input or recommendations for a grant making policy and
the areas that it should cover.

The deadline for submissions is 17h00 on 17 May 2002.

Further information on this study can be obtained from Andrew K Dube,
Samaita Associates, 7 East Bend Rd, Beacon Bay, 5247. Tel/Fax: 043 748-6883,
E-mail: [email protected] Mobile Fax: 083 8284 2232, Mobile Tel: 083 284
2232.

ENDS ... 7 May 2002

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Research to determine funding needs of disabled children's programmes

A research study on the needs of children with disabilities in South Africa
is being conducted by Samaita Associates on behalf of the Nelson Mandela
Children's Fund.

Organisations that have programmes or projects that benefit disabled
children are invited to participate in the study. These organisations may
include groups of parents of disabled children, disabled people's
organisations, mainstream organisations and other institutions that have a
direct or indirect interest in the needs of disabled children.

The following information is required by the researchers:
* Name, address and contact details of the organisation
* Details of the programme or project, including why it was started; how
many children are benefiting from it; the areas of need it addresses; and
who started the programme
* Input and recommendations on a grant making policy and the areas of
disabled children's needs that should be covered by such a policy

The deadline for submissions is 17h00 on 17 May 2002.

Further information may be obtained from: Andrew K Dube, Samaita Associates,
7 East Bend Rd, Beacon Bay, 5247. Tel/Fax: 043 748-6883, E-mail:
[email protected]. Mobile Fax: 083 8 284 2232, Cellphone: 083 284 2232.

ENDS ... 7 May 2002

Issued by:

Frances Kinghorn, Director, Cicada Development Communications (Pty) Ltd
30 Portland Avenue, Craighall Park, 2196
Tel/fax: 011 325-4874
Mobile: 083 625 1110
E-mail: [email protected]

On behalf of:

Andrew K Dube, Managing Director, Samaita Associates (Pty) Ltd
7 East Bend Road, Beacon Bay, 5247.
Tel/Fax: 043 748-6883
Mobile Tel: 083 284-2232
Mobile Fax: 083 8284-2232
E-mail: [email protected]