APD training session: tips on how to work with disabled

POLOKWANE – Recently the Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Limpopo hosted a training session for caregiver students regarding disabled people.

There are two main categories of disabilities: Physical disability and Intellectual disability.

Johnny Graham, APD public education and awareness officer, addressed the students first. “Impairment is a problem in body function or structure classed as a significant deviation or loss. Then you get active limitations which are difficulties that an individual may have to perform these activities. Participation restrictions are mostly problems an individual may have in the manner and extent of involvement in life situations,” he introduced the topic of discussion.

He explained some different disabilities to the students along with the misconceptions people have in regards with disability.

“Wheelchair users are not disabled in the head, it is our legs that don’t work, not our heads. The helplessness of a disabled person depends on the type of disability and no, disability is not contagious, disability is a status not an illness.”

Graham also gave tips about how to approach a wheelchair-bound person, for example, you should not just start pushing the wheelchair, sit down when you talk to the person, and not to lean on the wheelchair.

In conclusion, Graham advised the students about walking aids and assisting someone who makes use of them.

Maria Stone, APD social worker, then explained the different disabilities to the students. Basic hints and tips were also shared. Each attendee received a guide on how to approach and interact with disabled people after which they visited the clinic and House Joos and Frieda where they learned about wound care.