Bridging the Gap: How #ProjectAccess is Transforming Disability Support in Greater Ugu

#ProjectAccess is a collaboration between physiotherapists at Port Shepstone Hospital and Siyakwazi’s therapy team. This working group is united by a singular goal: to increase access to therapy services for children with disabilities by upskilling community healthcare workers (CHW) on the ground. The initiative, which launched at the beginning of 2024, aims to encourage a better understanding of disability and will focus on the inclusion of children with disabilities who are currently unsupported in and around rural Assisi District Clinic, located 25 kilometres inland from Port Shepstone.

Getting started

Our team has conducted two disability awareness sessions for CHWs at Assisi District Clinic in the first half of the year, in which we facilitated discussions to gauge the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of CHWs surrounding disability. Using our interactive outreach games and talking points, CHWs were encouraged to share their understanding of disability: some reflected on their first experience of disability and others showed understanding of how all people are equal.

The group spoke about being agents for change, using their positions within the community to address disability stigma and to address misinformation. Ideas included having recreational areas and activities that include children with disabilities, promoting Special Education Needs schools to guardians using the correct information, and involving Social Workers where they identify problematic or discriminatory home environments.

As #ProjectAccess gains momentum and establishes a framework for supporting children with disabilities within the remote setting, we will begin tracking therapy referrals that come via the CHWs at Assisi District Clinic to show the impact of the initiative.

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people gain new knowledge, and then getting help because of that new information. You find people not knowing much – and in some cases, they blame witchcraft for illness or disability. But after teaching them, they come back and thank you for helping them.” – Community Healthcare Worker, Assisi District Clinic

Fighting stigma surrounding disability

One of the biggest challenges faced by children with disabilities is the stigma attached to their condition. In many communities, disabilities are misunderstood and often attributed to superstitions or misconceptions. This stigma can lead to isolation, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities for affected children. Through education and awareness, #ProjectAccess upskills CHWs to challenge these harmful beliefs and promote acceptance and inclusion. 

Identifying children with disabilities

Community outreach is crucial in ensuring that children with disabilities are identified early, provided with timely intervention, and granted access to necessary clinic services and therapy. Early identification is the first step towards providing children with disabilities the support they need. CHWs, being trusted members of the community, are well-positioned to notice developmental delays or behaviours that might be overlooked by others.

Accelerating access to clinic services and therapy

Community outreach initiatives like #ProjectAccess accelerate access to clinic services and therapy by creating a direct link between CHWs and healthcare providers at local clinics. CHWs serve as a bridge, ensuring that children with disabilities do not fall through the cracks of the healthcare system. By fostering strong relationships between CHWs, therapists, and medical professionals, the initiative ensures a seamless continuum of care for children in need.

Looking ahead

As #ProjectAccess progresses, the focus will be on expanding the reach of our training sessions and strengthening the network of CHWs who are supporting children with disabilities. The initial feedback from the sessions at Assisi District Clinic has been overwhelmingly positive, with CHWs expressing a newfound confidence in their ability to make a difference.

For more information about Siyakwazi’s services and programmes, click here.