The Stellenbosch Disability Network (SDN) was established in October 2014 and the Helderberg Disability Network (HDN) in July 2018. Both networks are open for any organisation, members of the public and interested parties wishing to share information, raise awareness and ensure the inclusion of disability in local planning and service delivery in greater Stellenbosch. They work to advance the full inclusion of, and opportunities for, people with disabilities in all aspects of development, planning, learning, working and living in the greater Stellenbosch & Helderberg areas.
The SDN and the HDN were created as projects of the NPO, ChangeAbility. ChangeAbility’s purpose is to pioneer programmes that change communities by improving the lives of people with disabilities. ChangeAbility is still responsible for coordinating, chairing and reporting on the activities of each of these networks under their Disability Awareness project (for more information on this and other projects, visit their website at https://changeability.org.za/our-programmes/)
Both networks exist to:
15 & 16 October 2015: Talk about Disability
The SDN and the HDN were created as projects of the NPO, ChangeAbility. ChangeAbility’s purpose is to pioneer programmes that change communities by improving the lives of people with disabilities. ChangeAbility is still responsible for coordinating, chairing and reporting on the activities of each of these networks under their Disability Awareness project (for more information on this and other projects, visit their website at https://changeability.org.za/our-programmes/)
Both networks exist to:
- Share information and build a database on disability-related services & organisations (networking)
- Identify and record challenges faced by the disability sector & people with disabilities (research)
- Ensure the inclusion of disability in local planning & services (representation)
- Avoid duplication of services & maximize the use of limited resources (capacity building)
- Raise awareness and sensitise the public on disability-related themes (awareness raising)
- Take responsibility for the betterment of people with disabilities in our community (shared responsibility)
15 & 16 October 2015: Talk about Disability
- Disability talks & exhibits
- 200 attendees
3 December 2016: Walk with Disability
- 250 attendees
25 November 2017: Walk with Disability
- 213 attendees
24 November 2018: Walk with Disability
- 175 attendees
16 October 2019: Education Indaba
- 112 attendees
23 November 2019: Walk with Disability
- 266 attendees
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all large group gatherings and awareness raising events were interrupted for two years. We were happy to resume our Disability Network awareness events in 2022.
3 September 2022: Disability Sports Day
- 108 attendees
19 November 2022: Walk with Disability
- 290 attendees
2 September 2023: Disability Sports Day
- 90 attendees
18 November 2023: Walk with Disability
- 355 attendees
Anyone can join the networks or participate in events. To learn more or to join the mailing list, contact:
- SDN chairperson, Cindy Wiggett-Barnard, via email at [email protected] (or visit them on Facebook: Stellenbosch Disability Network)
- HDN chairperson, Candace Vermaak, via email at [email protected]