More Than Just Assistive Devices

How a South African Social Enterprise Supports an Environment of Inclusion

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15469438
AutoresZara Trafford (0000-0001-8192-0797, Stellenbosch University, autor correspondente), Erna van der Westhuizen (0000-0002-1411-8814, Shonaquip Social Enterprise, Cape Town 7800, South Africa), Shona McDonald (Shonaquip Social Enterprise, Cape Town 7800, South Africa), Margi Linegar (Shonaquip Social Enterprise, Cape Town 7800, South Africa), L Swartz (0000-0003-1741-5897, Stellenbosch University)
Ano2021
Volume18
Fascículo5
Páginas2655-2655
Data de publicação2021-03-06
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18052655
PMID33800783
OpenAlexW3135877852
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas49

Appropriate assistive technology has the potential to considerably enhance quality of life, access to health and education, and social and economic participation for people with disabilities. Most disabled people in the world live in low- and middle-income countries where access to assistive devices and other support is severely lacking. There is little evidence that describes contextually relevant approaches to meeting these needs, particularly in African countries. We provide a detailed description of a South African organisation which has manufactured mobility and seating devices for children with disabilities since 1992. The Shonaquip Social Enterprise (SSE) also trains and builds capacity among a wide range of stakeholders (caregivers, health workers, educators, government, and communities) to acknowledge and advocate for the wellbeing of disabled children and adults, and works closely with government to strengthen existing service provisions. Using examples from the SSE, we highlight a number of useful principles to consider when trying to provide for the needs of people with disabilities, particularly in low-resource settings. While access to assistive devices is important, devices have limited capacity to improve participation if the broader environment is overly restrictive and stigmatising. Improved access to devices ought to be situated within a range of broader efforts to increase the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities

Business · Computer security · Government (linguistics · Inclusion (mineral · Internet privacy · Physical access · Political science · Public relations · Resource (disambiguation · Situated · Universal design · World Wide Web · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders · Computer Science · Family and Disability Support Research · Psychology · Social Psychology