Transformation for people with disabilities. Disability is a medical as well as a social problem. The emphasis should therefore be on a medical-social approach. A medical-social model will allow for a more scientific approach to the plight of people with disabilities. The past has often seen an emotional-social approach which was usually a non-sustainable one.

The medical well-being of children under the age of 6 years is the responsibility of Deptartment of Health. Some congenital or early acquired disabilities are emergencies and the implementation of management is a race against time. The earlier management is instituted, the better the outcome of rehabilitation. In principle management protocols should be aimed at getting the person with a disability into the mainstream of society. This will enable them to make a financial contribution and in the process become proud citizens of this country.

A good example is hearing impairment, one of the so called invisible disabilities. Hearing impairment in small children whether they are pre-lingual (not having learned to speak) or post-lingual (having learned to speak) can be mangled by hearing aids and cochlear implants in a large percentage of cases. However, if there is delay in diagnosis and management it becomes just about impossible to help them simply because the brain loses its ability to learn to hear and subsequently to develop speech.

We plan to publish a series of articles relating to all aspects of disabilities. This will include statistics, explanations surrounding particular disabilities, legislation, etc. We hope to initiate an interactive platform so that information can be exchanged regarding all the multi-facets of disabilities. Medical experts from our Faculty of Health Sciences will participate in presenting information on the various disabilities that we have in our communities.

VOC will be distributed as an insert in the Sunday Times, Sunday World, Sowetan, Volksblad and Express every first week of every month.

Operates in: All of South Africa
Established in: December 2007

Non-Profit Organisation Number:
Public Benefit Organisation Number:
Section 21 Company Number:
Trust Number: IT 1638/2007

Contact person: Magteld Smith
Phone: 051 405 3344
Fax: 051 405 3102
Email:

Website: www.ufs.ac.za/voc

Physical address: University of the Free State
Postal address: P O Box 38425, Langenhovenpark, 9330