Opportunities for Disabled Dancers at Trials

Hundreds of children from disadvantaged communities are set to gain confidence through participating in the annual Western Cape/Truworths Disabled Ballroom and Latin American Dance Trials from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, 13 October 2012.

The event, hosted by the South African Circle of Dance Academy (SACDA), Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Truworths and other entities, will help to promote dance for the disabled as an Olympic sport at the DF Malan Hall in Coetzenberg, Stellenbosch.

Participants will come from Paarl School, Beacon School, Betel School, Astra School, Athlone School for the Blind, Lentegeur LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) School, Yellow Wood, Jan Kriel School, Maties, WC Rehab Centre, Chaeli Campaign, Winsley and SACDA. The event will focus on learners with special needs, Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, blind, deaf, paraplegic, wheelchair-bound and “Les Autres”– learners with disabilities that do not fit into any of the other categories. The winners of the trial will go on to compete in the National Championships next year.

SACDA has been preparing the disabled participants for the event with a form of learning through dance to enhance and develop their physical and academic abilities. This has boosted their self-esteem and their ability to perform with confidence in public. The primary stages of learning are recreational. This sets the stage for participants to develop a broader set of skills which helps them to engage positively with able-bodied people in society.

The department is confident that creating opportunities for disabled children to perform in this major event will help reduce the sense of social isolation that affects so many of them, gaining important life skills in the process.