Lend a hand at the local society

The National Council For Persons With Physical Disabilities in South Africa, the NCPPDSA, based in Edenvale is an organisation that aims to enable, support and enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

“The organisation, which is 77 years old, has an office in each province. Eight years ago the NCPPDSA moved from Melville to Edenvale. The non-profit organisation focuses on providing services to people with disabilities, protecting and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities,” said Ms Witness Sibiya, office secretary for the organisation. The organisation also raises funds and resources for other organisations and schools in this field, she said.

“We have programmes throughout the year and ensure that companies get BBBEE points and certificates to assist them in deducting their contributions from taxable income,” said Ms Sibiya.

Some of the upcoming projects include:

•  Casual Day, which is on September 2. The Casual Day theme for this year is ‘Up Your Game’ and they invite all to join them in selling stickers or 67 T-shirts to assist local schools and NGOs on Mandela Day.
•  In August the organisation will be having a woman’s campaign to bring girls and women with disabilities closer to women and girls without disabilities.
•  In September and October the organisation will have a huge children and youth campaign and raise nappies for disabled children who use nappies into their teenage years.
•  In October and November the NCPPDSA will place the emphasis on transport and enterprise development for persons with disabilities. The organisation has a variety of gifts that can be bought as corporate gifts. They will all be made by persons with disabilities.
•  In December the focus for the organisation is on food and housing for persons with disabilities and they will also run a huge HIV/Aids campaign.

If community members want to help the organisation there are a number ways they can, said Ms Sibiya. “We need volunteers to partner with us on enterprise and skills programme so we can empower our people and our organisation can receive BBBEE scorecard points. Purchase goods and gifts made by persons with disabilities.”

Ms Sibiya said that companies can also ask the organisation to make branded protective clothing, conference bags or training bags.

Community members looking to assist the organisation can do so by:

•  Visiting the Edenvale offices and offering their volunteer services.
•  Getting Casual Day stickers or T-shirts.
•  Donate nappies, or donate money for wheelchairs.

“It is important for community member to assist the NCPPDSA as it helps us to identify persons with disabilities who might need assistance and who might also be interested in becoming ambassadors for our programmes,” said Ms Sibiya.

The NCPPDSA also offers audits for business premises to advise the company on how to become fully accessible and inclusive. It helps disabled people receive employment so that they can actively participate in the economy of the country. The NCPPDSA also offers training to companies and organisations.

Community members can get in touch with the NCPPDSA by phoning 011 452 2774 or visiting its website at https://www.ncppdsa.org.za/.