Get casual on annual fundraiser

SPRING into action on 4 September by supporting the annual Casual Day fundraiser, which aims to celebrate people with disabilities and facilitate awareness.

Last year the campaign raised R28-million for people with disabilities, and this year the staff and students at the I Can! academy in Durban North hope to encourage an even more successful campaign this year. I Can! is an NPO which strives to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities.

On the day, the I Can! staff and students, along with their partner company, EmployAbility-Vulindela, will be dressing up in the spirit of Casual Day to promote awareness for people with disabilities.

They urge the community to take part as well by embracing this year’s fun theme, entitled ‘Spring into Action’. Dress up in the colours of the rainbow or add some blossoms to your outfit. Most importantly, remember to don your Casual Day sticker – this year there are five different ones available.

Claudia Leite, academy supervisor, said the aim was also to facilitate an opportunity for the students at the centre to meet their employers. The NPO provides supported employment services by providing trained job coaches and special schooling interventions, while I Can! offers learnerships for people with disabilities.

“Here at I Can! we are passionate about people with disabilities, and one of our main focuses is integrating people with disabilities into society in a meaningful way, hoping that they will be accepted for their abilities rather than their disabilities,” said operations manager, Natascha McAllister.

Part of all Casual Day proceeds will also benefit the following organisations: The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA, SA Federation for Mental Health, Deaf Federation of SA, Disabled People South Africa, Epilepsy SA, National Council for the Blind and Down Syndrome Association South Africa.