The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) notes that essential services are available for people with disabilities, amidst President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Sunday evening, 12 September 2021, that South Africa would move to COVID-19 Lockdown Adjusted Alert Level 2 on Monday, 13 September 2021.
With the support of its Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) partners, the provincial DSD renders services to over 91 000 people living with disabilities (as per verified data of 2019/20) in the Western Cape and funds 220 NGOs that render vital services to this vulnerable grouping.
R 169 million has been budgeted for the current financial year for developmental social welfare services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers.
Services rendered by the Department and its NPO partners include:
- Disability awareness and educational programmes;
- Developmental supportive and therapeutic services (social work interventions): counselling, support group programmes, daycare programmes for adults and children with disabilities;
- Support programmes for families/caregivers and;
- Protective workshops services and residential care services.
Residential care services:
The Department currently funds 39 residential care facilities that offer specialised care options for 1673 people with disabilities. Of the 39 funded residential facilities – five facilities provide specialised care for children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities.
Residential care facilities are established communities that offer various levels of care, support and guidance for residents. These facilities encourage their residents to live their lives to the fullest, under the supervision of dedicated staff and their respective family members.
The Department has budgeted R50. 089 million for the current financial years towards these respective facilities.
Social Work Services:
- Awareness and educational programmes on disability issues;
- Provision of social work services: counselling services, trauma debriefings;
- Peer support programmes;
- Family/parental support programmes and;
- Empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities: Life skills programmes, programmes enhancing positive self-image, self-perception.
Protective Workshop Services; include working with NPOs. The Department funds several workshops for people with disabilities. In light of the current Covid19 pandemic, the Department developed and implemented service continuity plans if the workforce is reduced or new workers are recruited in consultation with people with disabilities, their families and other local disability and caregiver agencies.
Daycare centres (for both children and adults): Centres are managed by NPOs to provide day-time supervised care, stimulation, structured programmes and activities.
The Department also subsidises the salaries of carers and programme implementers and the safe transportation of children with severe and profound intellectual disability at 44-day care centres and offers disabled facilities for adults and children with challenging behavior and intellectual disabilities.
“Albeit that the current COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges, we still have an opportunity now to build on the learnings presented during this pandemic, and adapt existing new systems that are more responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities,” concluded Minister Fernandez.
