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6.5. Applicants with Disabilities
The South African Constitution recognises the human rights of all South Africans, including those with disabilities. Discrimination on the basis of disability is against the law and persons with disabilities are included in the category of previously disadvantaged in terms of the country’s transformation agenda. Persons with disabilities, therefore, need to be given equal opportunities to access post- school education and training so that they too may achieve their full potential. According to Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007), “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.” The South African White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2015) reiterates the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to access education at all levels.
School-leavers with disabilities are encouraged to contact organisations of persons with disabilities, the disability rights unit or student support services department of the institution at which they wish to study if they have any queries about access to studies. School-leavers with disabilities are also encouraged to inform the institution’s disability rights unit or student support department about their access needs prior to beginning their studies so that the necessary reasonable accommodation can be arranged. It is hoped that we will see increasing numbers of students with disabilities at all post-school education institutions – it is your right to access education!
Organisation
Contact details
Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA)
Odette Swift (Director: Deaf Education) 074 186 6338 deafeducation@deafsa.co.za
QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA)
Raven Benny (CEO) 031 767 0348/ 52 info@qasa.co.za
Autism South Africa
Vicky Lamb (National Education Facilitator) 011 484 9909
info@autismsouthafrica.org
Rosemary Shezi (KZN)
071 360 4034 kwazulu-natal@autismsouthafrica.org
KZN Blind and Deaf Society
Pearl Ramotsamai (Social Work Manager) 031 309 4991
info@bdskzn.org.za
National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPD)
Therina Wentzel
083 255 6854 therina.wentzel@ncppdsa.org.za
South African Disability Alliance (SADA)
nationaldirector.no@epilepsy.org.za
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CAO HANDBOOK ENTRY 2025