Disability Awareness Fun Day at Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences strives to develop a value-based culture of commitment to excellent patience care. On the 12 August 2019, Karlien de Coning, occupational therapy student, in conjunction with the South African Guide-Dogs Association (SAGDA), staged a special awareness event at the Prinshof sport fields to collect donations. “The Department of Occupational Therapy is pleased to note that students and staff embraced the spirit of making a difference by contributing, inter alia, hats, caps and sunglasses to those affected by glare,” said Karlien.

“People with low vision often struggle with glare from the sun and seldom have enough eye protection, and this makes their movement more difficult. Hence, we appreciate the donations,” said Salome Ntsoelengoe, orientation and mobility practitioner from SAGDA. People with low vision also need additional assistance. SAGDA trains guide dogs according their four major services, called the ‘four paws of GDA’:

• First paw: Receiving a guide dog is a life-changing experience for someone with       visual impairment. It also enables people with disabilities other than blindness to increase their independence, mobility, companionship and dignity – a priceless gift.

• The second and third paws are related to autism support dogs that play a physical role in preventing children diagnosed with low-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The service dogs become physical extensions of their recipients by retrieving dropped items, turning on light switches, etc.

• The fourth paw is the College of Orientation and Mobility, which offers visually impaired individuals a two-year diploma course comprising theory, practical and workplace experience, as well as training for safe and independent mobility, allowing them to live more freely, devoid of reliance on other people.

“I wish to compliment Karlien and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, for their valuable outreach invested in caring for fellow South Africans with different needs,” said Pieter van Niekerk, Head of Public Relations, SAGDA.