According to a study by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), an estimated 7.5 million people in South Africa live with a disability, which is approximately 13% of the total population. The most common types of disabilities reported were mobility impairments, followed by visual and hearing impairments, and mental and intellectual impairments. The study also found that the majority of people with disabilities in South Africa live in rural areas and that the prevalence of disability is higher among older adults, women, and low-income households. However, the study also states that the prevalence of disability may be underreported, as many people with disabilities may not have been included in the study due to a lack of awareness or access to healthcare services.
This is the reason Community Chest Durban supports 12 established and well-run non-profit organisations with the sole purpose of significantly improving the lives of those with physical and mental disabilities.
Epilepsy SA - was established in 1967 and is the only national organisation in South Africa offering specialised and comprehensive services to persons with and affected by epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Their aim is to enhance and improve the quality of life of our target groups.
Headway KZN - their mission is to help stroke and brain injury survivors, and their families, make headway toward a better future.
Interface KZN - provides Augmentative Alternative Communication to assist adults and children with little or no functional speech, offering a holistic approach to engaging parents and caregivers.
Khethiwe Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities– is a therapy centre of excellence where children with Cerebral Palsy (and other neurological impairments) from disadvantaged communities, who cannot afford to pay for it, can come for comprehensive treatment.
The KwaZulu-Natal Blind & Deaf Society - their purpose is to provide services and opportunities to improve the quality of life of Blind and Partially Sighted people.
Likhon iThemba - is a crisis care centre for babies and children with mental challenges; running 3 outreach programmes, Bowl of Plenty (nutrition support), Vikela (a safe place to abandon babies) and HOLAH (House of Love & Hope), a residential safe house that focusses on the adoption of special needs children.
Merewent Cheshire Home – is a residential facility that caters for adults with physical disabilities.
Molweni Zimele – is a safe haven for those in the Molweni, KwaNgcolosi and KwaNgetho areas living with physical and mental disabilities, and it is a huge relief to their families who know that their loved ones are being properly cared for and stimulated.
Sonke Centre - the school in KwaNdengezi caters for children living with varying degrees of mental and/or physical disabilities from the age of 3 to 21 years.
Sparks Estate Cheshire Home - established in 1979, the home is a registered welfare residential facility providing residential care for 60 severely mentally and physically disabled residents.
Siyakwazi - a community-based organisation founded in 2013 that supports children with disabilities and barriers to learning under the age of seven. They do this on the basis of every child's right to health and education as well as the ethos that every child can learn.
Whizz Kidz Special Needs Centre - provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children, between the ages of 2½ and 14 years, with multiple or severe disabilities.