Study to determine needs of disabled children

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has commissioned a research study to determine funding needs of disabled children.

Samaita Associates has been appointed for this purpose and is inviting organisations that have programmes or projects that benefit disabled children to participate in the study. These may include groups of parents of disabled children, disabled people’s organisations, mainstream organisations and other institutions that have a direct or indirect interest in the needs of disabled children.

“There are few statistics available on the prevalence of childhood disability, but it could be as high as 5% of South African children,” says Andrew K Dube, managing director of Samaita Associates. “What is clear, however, is that their needs are not being adequately met and this must urgently be addressed.”

“Addressing the needs of children with disabilities requires the participation of all sectors of society,” Dube says. “For this reason, we are calling upon all interested organisations with programmes or projects that benefit disabled children to participate in our survey on the funding needs in this area.”

The following information is required by the researchers:

Name, address and contact details of the organisation;
Details of the programme or project, including why it was started, how many children are benefiting from it, the areas of need it addresses, and who started the programme;
Input and recommendations on a grant-making policy and the areas of disabled children’s needs that should be covered by such a policy.