Human Rights Day: Promoting the dignity of Intellectually Disabled Persons

Every year, both Human Rights Day and World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21 March.  

Human Rights Day commemorates and honours those who fought for the rights & freedom that all South Africans enjoy today. 

World Down Syndrome Day (also known as WDSD) is a global awareness initiative that has been backed by the United Nations since 2012.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when an individual is born with an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome affects the way a person's brain and body develops, leading to developmental delays, intellectual disability and an increased risk for certain medical conditions.

Most persons with Down syndrome have some level of intellectual disability ⎯ usually in the mild to moderate range.

In celebration of these two special occasions observed on the same day, the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) would like to reiterate its commitment to promoting the well-being, dignity, and inclusivity of Intellectually Disabled Persons.

“All of us have a role to play in educating our family members, peers and others about the barriers and challenges faced by persons with intellectual disabilities. It is also important that voices of people with disabilities are heard.

I wish to appeal to all communities to help us in safeguarding the rights and promoting the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities 365 Days of the year,” said the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.

For the current financial year, R 169 million has been budgeted for developmental social welfare services to people with disabilities, their families and/ or 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 and daycare programmes for adults and children with disabilities,
• Support programmes for families/caregivers,
• Protective workshops services and residential care services.

Residential care services:

The provincial DSD provides funding to 39 residential care facilities that offer specialized care options for 1673 people with disabilities. Of the 39 funded residential facilities, five facilities provide specialized 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 grow and live a life of value. Furthermore, all residents are encouraged to decide what they wish to accomplish but are done so 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.
• Empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities: Life skills programmes, programmes enhancing positive self-image, self-perception.

Protective Workshop Services; -. The Department funds several workshops for people with disabilities. Considering the current Covid19 pandemic- the department developed and implemented service continuity plans in case of a reduced workforce, 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.

"Albeit that the current COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges, we still have an opportunity now, to build on the learnings from these last few months, and adapt existing new systems that are more responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities,” concluded Minister Fernandez. 

Things to remember when engaging with a person with an intellectual disability: 

• Keep your sentences simple, clear and concise.
• Talk to the person directly and not to the person who may be accompanying them.
• Always be patient as the person may take a little longer to respond because of limited
• understanding and possible speech difficulties.
• Always be considerate and respectful.
• Before offering your help, always ask the person if they require any assistance and what type of assistance they require.

For more information contact:

Any persons interested in finding out more information about the services we offer those people with disabilities can contact our department by calling, 0800 220 250, to be directed to your nearest local DSD office.

For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development