The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, urges all children with disabilities to utilise the Day Care services offered by her Department and its Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) partners.
Minister Fernandez said, “If your child has a disability, you are the child’s most important advocate. You may need information about your child’s disability, early intervention (for a baby), school services, therapy, transportation, and much more. Help is available!”
Day Care services offer a safe environment to uphold the rights of children with disabilities, and also provides day-time supervised care, stimulation, structured programmes and activities for children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. It further provides caregivers an opportunity to go to work or to take care of other needs, while knowing the children are being cared for in a safe and stimulating space during the day.
The provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) currently funds fifty-one NPOs which renders such services. The total budget allocated for these services for the current financial year is R 17.9 million.
Due to the lengthy period a child may spend in a day care or a special education facility, it is important to be sure that all of a child’s needs are being met as they grow. Hence, accessible and adequate day care services for children with disabilities can help a parent or guardian ensure that their child receives the attention required, when a parent is not around to monitor their care and receive instruction appropriate for their abilities.
“In building a society that is ‘Better Together’, the provision of integrated programmes and services to children with disabilities and their families/ caregivers must be regarded as a key pillar,” concluded Minister Fernandez.
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