Introduction
Almost everyone has experienced isolation, anxiety, and loneliness under the Covid-19 virus due to most countries around the world which were shut down for extended periods in 2020. While nations and societies are now slowly beginning to open-up again, many persons with disabilities still face challenges which are very real. Persons with disabilities face a wide range of challengers on a day-to-day basis which Disability Info South Africa (DISA) aims to assist them to overcome; the Covid-19 epidemic is the latest & possibly the greatest obstacle and challenge which many people, including persons with disabilities will have to face in South Africa & around the world.
DISA offers a “Free One - Stop Information Service” for Persons with Disabilities & their families, who are looking for information that can help them to be better equipped to face the challenges of their circumstances and any related barriers presented by society. Our motto "Unlocking The Shackles Of Your Disability Using The Key Of Knowledge" embodies our belief that knowledge is power and that, with the correct information at their fingertips, the lives of persons with disabilities can be made that much easier. With this in mind we have created this Corona Virus (COVID - 19) page below to not only highlight these difficulties that this pandemic has created for persons with disabilities, but also share information & provide & supply solutions to alleviate these difficulties including the removal of the barriers that various disability groups face in accessing essential services. Please read the article below and follow the links provided to find out more about COVID-19, the challengers we face as persons with disabilities, as well as the companies, organisations, government facilities and service providers that are available to assist us during this difficult time.
What is the Corona Virus (COVID - 19)
"Coronaviruses are common throughout the world, there are many different types identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause disease in humans. On the 31st of December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, China with what we now know as ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ (COVID-19). On the 7th of January 2020, ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ or COVID-19. The majority of the case-patients initially identified were dealers and vendors at a seafood, poultry and live wildlife market in China but since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South Africa. Since the spread of the disease, it has become clear that the elderly, persons with Mobility Impairments, individuals with co-morbidities and healthcare workers have been found to be at a higher risk of death." - www.sacoronavirus.co.za
What Are We Doing In South Africa?
On the 23rd of March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new measure to combat the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus in South Africa, when he announced a three-week nationwide lockdown with severe restrictions on travel and movement, supported by the South African National Defence Force – from midnight on Thursday the 26th of March, to midnight on Thursday the 16th of April. This was then extended for another two weeks and the President said that more was needed to be done to avoid “an enormous catastrophe” among the population.
In essence, this meant that people would only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food, seek medical help or only under other extreme circumstances. The lockdown follows government regulations that limited - public gatherings, travel from high-risk countries and the sale of alcohol & cigarettes. In addition, borders were closed to reduce the rate of infection from those travelling into South Africa from other countries. A quarantine was also enforced on inbound travellers and returning citizens.
On Monday the 4th of May restrictions were eased slightly to Stage 4, and then on the 1st of June, we moved into stage 3 and regulations were eased further. click on the link below to visit the Risk Adjusted Strategy and view the different stages and the regulations associated with each stage, or visit the following link on your Mobile: Lockdown Bozza App or Website: Lockdown Bozza (Under Construction) to view the Services that are available during the different stages.
How is Covid-19 Affecting The Lives Of Persons With Disabilities?
Across the world, 15% of the population are persons with disabilities, who generally have more healthcare needs than those without disabilities. In South Africa, 7.5 percent of the population (2,870,130 people) live with some form of disability. (According to a Census 2011).
The consequences of Covid-19 for persons with disabilities are broad - many persons with disabilities are at higher risk of serious illness or death due to Covid-19, while some Persons With Disabilities are also at a Higher Risk of Infection.
Due to the forced lockdown, there is also a lack of access to basic healthcare and healthcare products, while other essentials like water, food and economic support for some persons with disabilities are also lacking. Much of this stems from the fact that persons with disabilities do not share equal rights and access to essential needs under Covid-19 and beyond.
Persons With Disabilities Are At Higher Risk of being Severely Affected
Some persons with disabilities & the elderly can be at higher risk of being severely affected by the Covid-19 Virus, they generally have more health-care needs than others, which include both standard needs and needs linked to their impairments. While having a disability doesn’t by itself necessarily put someone at higher risk from Corona virus, many persons with disabilities do have specific underlying conditions that make the disease more dangerous for them.
Individuals who have reached the age of 60 years and those who are immunosuppressed are at a highest risk of been severely affected, the COVID-19 virus affects the lungs by making them fibrous or less able to stretch, it lives in your respiratory system particularly in your lungs, so is particularly dangerous for persons with a spinal cord injury who generally have affected breathing. Diabetes is another complication of SCI that further affects the body’s immune response, while persons with open pressure sores and urinary tract infection is another.
The spleen is the major infection fighting organ of the body, if you have disease that affects your spleen or trauma or removal of the spleen, you have an increased risk of infection, while heart disease is also a risk factor. Visit our "Healthcare and Rehabilitation" section to find out more about the Healthcare for persons with Mobility Impairments and the companies and organisations that can assist you.
Some Persons With Disabilities are also at a Higher Risk of Infection.
The virus spreads in droplets through coughing and sneezing, wheelchair users usually sit lower than most people that are standing & can experience more exposure to saliva droplets when talking to people standing taller than them. Many medical professionals have recommended observing a minimum distance of 6 ft. Persons who are Blind may not be aware that they are not standing far enough away, while Social Distancing is not always possible for many persons with Mobility Impairments, Visual Impairments & some persons with Intellectual Impairments, who may need someone to assist them with daily activities, such as getting washed, dressed or with other basic needs. Confinement measures should be adapted to the needs of specific groups to ensure their well-being, people who require home assistance should keep receiving it. Some Persons with Intellectual Impairments as well as young children and the elderly may not understand the need for social distancing and why they are no longer able to visit with family and friends, therefore causing stress, depression and anxiety to many. Visit the links below to find out more:
- Meeting the health needs of persons with disabilities during COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- Explaining Covid-19 to Kids
- Blind SA - 19 Actions for an inclusive Covid-19 response
- Coronavirus Explained and What you should do
- Helping Kids With Autism to Adjust
Nurses & Health Care workers who have to travel to work with public transport, are also at high risk & need to take appropriate measures to make sure not to get infected and put the patient at risk. In recent news we have heard how Nursing homes in France, Spain & Italy have lost many residents to this virus, through not providing the right Personal Protective Equipment, Education & putting the correct procedures in place, we can learn from their mistakes here in South Africa and can avoid the same disaster. Various companies and organisations supply Nursing & Private Home Nursing which are well trained to take take the correct measures to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by following certain regulations. Visit our "Healthcare and Rehabilitation - Nursing & Private Home Nursing" section to find out more about the companies and organisations that offer these services and can assist.
Hand Hygiene For People With Spinal Cord Injury
The reliance of the Assistive Devices that many persons with Mobility Impairments use on a daily bases can also end up putting them at risk of infection. If you push a manual wheelchair or use other types of assistive devices such as hoist, there are unique precautions you should take related to hand washing. Some of the standard recommendations to prevent infection & the spread of infection are not easy to adhere to for persons with severe Mobility Impairments, this includes Regular hand washing; Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing & avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. COVID-19 can survive on the surfaces of your wheelchair and other surfaces which you come in frequent contact with, such as the hand rims or tires, hoists, etc. Any virus that might be on the ground or carpets can be transferred to your tires or hand rims which can then be transferred to your hands as you push your wheelchair, therefore putting you at risk. Some persons with Mobility Impairments also use their mouth to operate their wheelchair, when painting or working on their computer with a Mouth Stick and some persons sometimes use their mouth to remove their eating braces & gloves, which is obviously not advised now, as it can lead to infection. This will however mean that you will not be able to do things that you used to, which may mean that you lose some independence.
Click on the links below to view "Useful Information and Tips During the Covid-19 Epidemic.": Ari Seirlis shares some useful information to wheelchair users during the COVID 19 Epidemic, or click on the links below to view more information:
- Disability-Specific Recommendations for COVID-19
- Centres for Disease Control & Prevention - People with Disabilities - Covid-19
- Additional COVID-19 Guidance for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia in Community Settings
The COVID-19 epidemic has also led to the Lack of Essential Equipment
Persons with disabilities generally fall into the low and middle-income group & rely on certain essential medical equipment such as Pressure Care Cushions, Wheelchairs, Hoists and other Assistive Devices which are imported from overseas, sometimes the prices of this equipment are affected by the drop in the rand and many of the suppliers of this equipment are also closed over lockdown, so products cannot be imported or purchased. This may also include Assistive Computer Aids that are used to assist children with disabilities for Home Schooling or for adults working from home. The lack of access to data & these Computer Aids are a big concern in the poorer communities, as children who cannot participate in e-learning are being left behind while schools are closed.
Essential Healthcare Accessories such as gloves, masks, sanitizers, thermometers, aprons and other Health Care Accessories, which are used on a daily bases by nurses, carers and the persons with disabilities who employ them are now finding it very difficult to find this equipment since the spread of COVID-19, as a large number of people who were not using this equipment previously are now using it and in some cases the prices have gone up drastically, sometimes 3 times the original cost that was been charged.
The National Consumer and Competition Commission
The National Consumer and Competition Commission will be monitoring closely to ensure that there are no unjustified price increases on basic food items (like Rice, Maize meal, Milk, Canned Vegetables and Meats), Personal Care products (like Toilet paper, Baby formula and nappies), Hygiene products (like disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and cleaning agents) and key medical supplies (like surgical masks and gloves). The Consumer and Competition Commissions are currently investigating various firms who have been found to be selling products like face-masks, hand sanitizers and other products, for high prices and abusing the situation.
The National Consumer Commission has established a toll-free hotline: (0800-014-880) and are also reachable on social media through Twitter: (@NCC_COVID19" href="https://twitter.com/compcomsa?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@NCC_COVID19). Consumers can report unjustified price increases on any of these 22 products and other key products to the National Consumer Commission.
Hygiene Products - Masks, Thermometers, Aprons and other Health Care Accessories
Personal Care products like Toilet paper, Baby formula and nappies, Hygiene products like disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and cleaning agents and key medical supplies like surgical masks and gloves are essential products in maintaining good hygiene, especially during this Covid-19 epidemic. Hygiene is a set of practices performed to preserve health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases, it includes attention to keeping surfaces in the home and workplace. Good Hygiene is important for everyone especially during Covid-19, but is even more important for the Young, Elderly and persons who have recently been discharged from hospital or with Mobility Impairments who are more "at risk" of infection.
There are a variety of different types of these Hygiene Products and Healthcare Accessories which can be used to reduce the risk of infection around the home, or at work, these Hygiene Products are available from various companies and suppliers in South Africa, including companies such as Thusanang - Health Restoration, who sell various Hygiene Accessories such as.
Financial Impact of COVID-19 & Lockdown on Persons with Disabilities
The world has changed dramatically in the last few months due to the coronavirus pandemic which has tragically resulted in a large number of lives being lost. As countries implement quarantines and social distancing practices to contain the pandemic, the world has been put in a lockdown which is unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes. The lockdown has financially impacted many people including persons with disabilities, most businesses have had to close & many small businesses will not survive the lockdown, which includes some businesses run by persons with disabilities & some who support persons with disabilities. Due to the loss of income suffered by some companies & the drop in the rand, this could cause the cost of some essential products to rise in price, while the drop in oil & in the stock markets could lead to a loss of income through investments of pensioners, etc. Organisations that rely on donations & funding to supply their services to those in need could also be badly affected, which would ultimately affect the most vulnerable.
Measures have been introduced for the vulnerable, destitute and needy throughout South Africa. During lockdown, family or caregivers should continue to assist persons with disabilities to access their social grants and to do their shopping. You will still be able to collect your disability grant during the lockdown period. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) announced that social grants from May 2020, will no longer be paid on the 1st. Beneficiaries of disability and old age grants, will be paid over 2 days from the 4th of each month.
There are also various initiatives that have been put in place to try and assist persons with disabilities who are in need and who have been affected by loss of income through the lockdown. This includes initiatives introduced by the government and various organisations such as the Quadriplegic and Paraplegic Charitable Trust of South Africa, which has assisted various companies including Disability Info South Africa (DISA), during this difficult time:
- Quadriplegic and Paraplegic Charitable Trust of South Africa: "Urgent support for small businesses of quadriplegics and paraplegics in South Africa. The Trustees of the Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Charitable Trust of South Africa have agreed to qualifying criteria for financial support for businesses owned by quadriplegics and paraplegics in this Corona Virus pandemic time. The Charitable Trust understands that these are tough times for small businesses, especially those owned by Quadriplegics and Paraplegics in South Africa and have made available funding to support qualified applicants for short-term relief in this uncertain time of business trading and business survival." - Charity Trust.
Disability Info South Africa (DISA) would like to thank them for their support over this period, which also assisted with the development of this Covid -19 page. - Debt Relief Finance Scheme For Small & Medium Businesses: Debt Relief Finance Scheme For small & medium businesses which are negatively affected due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Priority will be given to businesses owned by Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. Read More: .... (Scroll Down to Economic Relief - Coronavirus Covid-19 at bottom of page and click on "Debt Relief")
- Blind SA - Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB): "Technical Support and Financial Assistance will be provided for Blind and partially sighted entrepreneurs or those persons who are at Sheltered and Protective Workshops and not earning any income and wish to receive training, are requested to contact the Special Economic Fund at Blind SA": Read More: ....
Depression & Loneliness
Depression and loneliness are very common among all age groups around the world, more than 60 percent of Americans report feeling lonely and lacking companionship, while another study shows that over 9 million people in the UK across all adult ages are often lonely, while survey found that 43% of 17 – 25 year olds had experienced problems with loneliness and in South Africa, 21.4% of teenagers have considered committing suicide due to a combination of issues including relationship problems or trauma for various reasons including but not limited to family issues, violence, emotional or sexual abuse, bullying, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and exam stress. Unfortunately, 60% of teenagers do not seek assistance, mainly because they do not know that there are resources available. (According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.)
Depression & loneliness is even more common for persons with disabilities and the elderly, especially over this time of lockdown and uncertainty and has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health, including: Cardiovascular disease and stroke; Increased stress levels; Insomnia; Decreased memory and learning. Disability often leads to other painful losses which leads to depression, this includes:
- Loss of a life direction or purpose, helplessness or frustration, feelings of worthlessness and decrease in self-esteem
- Lack of confidence in their ability to control their body and manage their life adequately, loss of autonomy can take a severe toll on self-esteem.
- Sadness, anger or frustration over career loss or changes, feeling forced to take a job that isn’t as challenging, fulfilling or prestigious.
- Quality of life often decreases after a significant injury or illness, especially when it limits the ability to perform normal daily activities.
- Feeling bored due to being housebound, which fosters negative emotions, including loneliness and sadness, anger, frustration or resentment which can trigger symptoms of depression.
Depression can also make the disability worse and can make it more difficult for you to take proper care of your health, as you are more likely to miss important appointments, such as a doctor visit or physical therapy or you may neglect to take your medications as directed. The result is a cycle in which the injury or illness triggers depression, which, in turn, makes the disabling condition worse. Added to this the lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19 can cause many people to feel depressed & those already suffering from depression might feel that they have know where to turn, the financial strain & separation from family & friends will make this worse, along with the boredom & threat of the unknown.
Depression can also lead to abuse of the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, while Children, the elderly & persons with intellectual disabilities may feel Anxious, Depressed & lonely, due to the lockdown, change of routine & isolation from family members & friends. Persons with psychosocial disabilities, should not be required to live in total isolation & it is important that information, links & contact details to companies, organizations & help lines are provided & easily available.
- Psychology Today - Loneliness
- Mental Health Wellness Tips for Quarantine
- SA Federation For Mental Health - Hotlines
- The South African Depression and Anxiety Group
Confusion Due to the Lack of Access to information
It is essential that everyone be kept informed on vital information, such as, How the Covid-19 is spreading; What support services are available; What lock down strategies are in place and How to act in case of illness, to name just a few. Access to this type of information is especially important for persons with disabilities, including those who are Deaf, Blind or who do not have access to television. This information must be available in accessible formats, including sign language, video captioning, the use of alternative text in images and graphics displayed digitally, and easy-to-read versions.
In the battle against COVID-19, it is also essential to follow the motto of the United Nations’ Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities: “Nothing about us, without us”. Persons with disabilities, through their representative organizations, are the ones who can better advise the political authorities to include persons with disabilities in the prevention, mitigation and monitoring plans related to this disease. Persons with disabilities must be included in all plans to manage the current COVID-19 outbreak, including the information provided by the government.
It is also important to remove the barriers that persons with disabilities face in accessing Healthcare Services, SASSA Pensions, Food and Hygiene products, as well as to consider reasonable accommodation measures to allow them to work from home or ensure that they receive a paid leave to guarantee their income. Click on the links below to view some"Useful Information and Tips During the Covid-19 pandemic."
- Regulations and Guidelines – Disability – Coronavirus (Scroll Down to middle of page and click on "Disability")
- Covid19 Information Sheet For Persons With Disabilities
- What to do if you suspect COVID-19
- UNICEF COVID-19 Disability Response Inforgraphic
- ILO COVID-19
- Western Cape Government - Covid-19
The Way Forward
The outbreak of Covid-19, globally and also in South Africa, has highlighted the major economic disparities in societies and the devastating and lasting effects discrimination, marginalization and inequality had and still have on the lives of persons with disabilities and the elderly today.
It is evident that discrimination and inequality are still present in many countries around the world including South Africa and that many persons with disabilities are feeling the brunt of discrimination and inequality. This is despite the fact that we had our first democratic election in South Africa on the 27th of April 1994, where the ANC was elected into power and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was published in 1996, underpinning the following premise:
“Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.” - The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Since then, there have also been various policies, Acts and regulations written and sanctioned to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same rights as all South Africans, this includes and is not limited to:
- The SANS 10400 part S which has been part of the National Building Regulations since 2011. It prescribes the basic design compliance applicable to all public buildings. These building and design guidelines, in conjunction with the Universal Design Principles, are meant to be applied by all architects, draftsmen and designers to provide inclusive and accessible environments for all.
- In December 2015 the country's first ever White Paper on the rights of person's with disabilities was approved by cabinet. It acknowledges the deficits in access to education, reproductive health and rights, services as well as health care among people living with disabilities. The vision of the WRPD is the "creation of a free and just society inclusive of all persons with disabilities as equal citizens."
Yet in 2020, as the world is still fighting the effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown, persons with disabilities in South Africa still do not have access to a wide variety of buildings, environments and essential services, which prevents them from becoming active members of society. Equitable and dignified access to some of the following, but not limited to, essential services, buildings and environments, are still being restricted and or denied:
- Public transport
- Public buildings, sporting grounds, recreational parks, retail and service outlets, outdoor events, restaurants, etc.
- Inclusive education and employment
- Access to free data
- Easy access to government pensions and food parcels
- Access to important Information
The bottom line is, that if you are not fully accessible, you are guilty of discrimination! As the rest of the world along with South Africa starts to re-open, persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as their families and friends who care for them, are feeling even more isolated from society. Those without means, will continue the good fight and attempt once more to survive financially, caring for themselves and others, in a new and uncertain tomorrow.
Disability Info South Africa (DISA) strongly supports a paradigm shift to a “New Normal”, whereby persons with disabilities and the elderly, unify to demand a better future for all. DISA is in the process of launching various new initiatives with the assistance of the relevant role players and stakeholders to identify, coordinate, inform and address the need for "Access For All".
Please join and support us as we kick-start a positive, passionate and driven outreach to Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons, across South Africa, who are in dire need for change.
The Time Is Now! As South Africans, having the heart and will to concur any disaster or extremity such as the current Covid-19 pandemic, we CAN also eliminate the current exclusion, marginalisation of and discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly - NOT leaving anyone behind.
Together with its Friends, Partners and Allies in the Disability Sector, DISA is saying "Yes To Access!". So let us “Break the Shackles of Your Disability”, go and claim your right to be part of an equal society and help us to enable change to create an inclusive, accessible and resilient South Africa. Click on the links below to view articles of interest:
- For paraplegics, the pandemic has made work from home viable
- ‘Let me drive the bus:’ People with disabilities want inclusive COVID-19 reconstruction
The Living Declaration
Across society, persons with disabilities face a lack of equity and equal rights, the Living Declaration aims to raise awareness about the challenges facing persons with disabilities under Covid-19 and beyond. The Living Declaration is a collective statement and global call to action, drafted by an international community under the organization of Enactlab – a knowledge lab based in Copenhagen, Denmark, comprising of the international community of disability activists, artists, doctors, scientists and citizens who are behind the initiative which aims to raise awareness and points to solutions for persons with disabilities who experience a lack of equal rights under the Covid-19 crisis. “We wanted to build a platform for our community, where different voices of persons with disabilities can be heard from across the globe. The Living Declaration is meant to serve as a foundation for building international solidarity and collaboration, that can catalyze change and action in local communities. When it comes to persons with disabilities, the need for basic human rights is striking," says Marlene le Roux, one of the initiators and co-authors of The Living Declaration and Member of the South Africa Presidential Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities: "Covid-19 is not an equalizer – it is a revealer." Click Here to see the full document, or visit www.enactlab.com to view their website.
Services, Equipment & Technology That Can Assist
COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on our industries and social lives, but it is also prompting an outpouring of creativity in other areas. During lockdown, many people are now realizing that they can work and be schooled from home using services, equipment and software to assist them, it is now clear that there is less need to travel to meetings, school and work, therefore reducing the obstacles that many persons with disabilities experience in getting an education or a job due to lack of Accessible transport, Access to buildings, Schools, Accessible work areas and Accessible Toilets, all of which are basic human rights! This has opened up doors of what is possible and is paving a way forward so that we can continue into the future free of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities who are requiring employment & education.
Various current old and new services, products and software are being urgently needed and are used to help fight the spread of COVID-19, this includes:
- COVID-19 People Management Solutions
- Access Control & Temperature Monitoring Terminal
- Voice Operated Home Automation Aids and Assistive Devices that are used to open doors and to make every day activities in the homes easier and safer for all persons, including those with Impairments.
- Meeting and Communication Software
- Online Shopping and Delivery Services
Incident Desk COVID-19 People Management Solution
The Incident Desk COVID-19 People Management Solution provides you with an easy mobile method for managing compliance with government stipulated COVID-19 safety protocols and identifying and managing employee infections. The solution makes it easy to register employees or log daily health checks and screenings, and identifying a Person Under Investigation (PUI). It also enables the quick retrieval of employee or patient status, history and personal information. The mobile app works in conjunction with the Incident Desk back-end management portal.
The solution will also assist companies which utilize service providers to ensure that the manpower provided to them are compliant with Government regulations and have completed daily health checks and screenings. Health checks and incidents can be logged and shared between multiple service providers and entities such as companies and their outsource service provider. These incidents can be shared and viewed on a national, provincial and employer level depending on access rights.
Facial Recognition is used in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) to uniquely identify, register and retrieve a person’s information. This is done by Taking a photo via the smart phone app; Or uploading a photo via the smart phone app or web; or doing a name search if a photo cannot be taken. - Incident Desk - Covid-19 People Management Solution.
Access Control & Temperature Monitoring Terminal
It has become increasingly important to control the spread of Coronavirus through monitoring key symptoms, such as a fever. There are a wide variety of different types of equipment supplied by companies such as Securo which are available in South Africa, which measure temperature, offers facial recognition and some of this equipment also reduces the risk to the key workers from having to do this manually.
Securo: is a multi-faceted Close Corporation established in 1999 with the core business being that of supply, installing and servicing of security products, business security services and solutions. Securo offers integrated management security services and business systems with a full service support program in place and has over the past 21 years become a formidable competitor in this market offering service excellence and client satisfaction. This commitment and focus has earned the company a reputation of integrity, technical expertise and professionalism. Securo is also a fully registered security service provider with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, they also stock, sell and install various types of equipment which have been developed to control the spread of Coronavirus, including:
The Dahua Thermal Solution: This high-tech thermal imaging solution can automatically detect a person’s temperature in less than a second without the need for personal contact, therefore providing a hospital or business with an accurate, safe, primary screening solution. It has an accuracy of ±0.3℃ and removes the need for handheld thermometers, so as to reduce the risk to staff and speeding up the patient entry process. By combining the latest CCTV and thermal temperature measurement technology, this device is capable of automatically detecting if a person has a higher-than-normal body temperature, and can screen individuals or larger groups simultaneously.
| As a comparison, the process currently being used by many hospitals largely involves frontline healthcare and other key workers using a handheld infrared thermometer to measure peoples’ temperatures as they enter and exit a facility. For this method to work, the individual conducting the temperature monitoring of people has to get very close to the potentially infected person, thereby increasing the risk of the virus being transmitted to them. These manual checks are also very time-consuming in an environment where no-one wants to wait longer than necessary. Using a handheld forehead thermometer to measure the temperatures of 5,000 people would take over four hours roughly, while the Dahua Thermal Solution is capable of measuring three people per second, which means that checking the temperature of 5,000 people would take approximately 30 minutes. |
Should someone enter the space with a high temperature, an alarm sounds as an indication that they are potentially carrying a virus and should be checked by a medical professional. Installation of this rapidly deployable solution requires very little disruption to general operations and can be up and running in as little as 24 hours from point of order. Please click on the following link to find out more: Face Recognition Access Controller
Securo also stocks, sells and installs various other types of equipment which have also been developed to control the spread of Corona virus, including:
Hikvision Temperature Screening Solution: The Hikvision Temperature Screening Solution, with multiple product types and wide range of applications, is designed for the detection of skin-surface temperatures so as to achieve rapid and safe preliminary screening in public areas with high efficiency in a multitude of scenarios, Click the Hikvision Temperature Screening Solution link to find out more.
T5 Digital LED Infrared Thermometer Gun: The T5 Digital LED Infrared Thermometer Gun is a Non-contact Quick Temperature Measurement Model which has a range of between 32.0 C - 42.9C & an accuracy of measurement on the human body of +0.2 C & an accuracy on an object of +1 C. Key Product Features include: Three measuring modes - forehead, ear and body temperature measurement; A back light LCD display, LED high brightness & tri colour back light; A fever alarm function which prompts when the measured value is greater than 38.0 C degrees. Additional features include Accurate measurement, Fast temperature measurement - measuring time is less than 1 second; Easy to use - one key measurement; Non-contact - measuring human forehead without touching human skin; Large screen LCD display - any light can be clearly displayed and an Adjustable Temperature alarm. Please click on the following link to find out more about the Specifications & Key Product Features or to download the Pdf: T5 Digital LED Infrared Thermometer Gun
Please contact Securo - Colin Beard Cell: 082 410 2433 or E-Mail: colin.beard@securo.co.za to find out more about the other products that they supply, or click on the following image to view a: Comprehensive List of Securo Services. Alternatively visit their website at: www.securo.co.za
Home Automation Aids, Door Openers and Other Assistive Devices
There are a wide variety of different types of Home Automation Aids, Door Openers and other Assistive devices that are used in homes, shops and businesses to make every day activities easier for persons with Mobility Impairments and other disabilities. Since being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also become clear that these Assistive Devices are also useful to stop the spread of germs and the Caronavirus. Typical examples of these Assistive Devices include products such as:
- Voice Operated TV's
- Automatic Door and Garage-door Openers
- Timers on a Coffee Machine Light Switches
- Elbow Taps, Liquid Soap Dispensers and Flush Plates
These products listed above and various others not only assist persons that haven't got full use of their arms and hands to be able to reach or grip certain equipment they need use or open, but also making it unnecessary to grab Door Handles, Taps, Toilet Flush Handles or Switches, therefor reducing the risk of transferring bacteria from these metal surfaces to your hands and therefore reducing the need to have to wash your hands more often than you may be able to.
There are a wide variety of different types of Home Automation Products, Door Openers and other Smart Home products that are available in South Africa, some of which have capabilities which go quite a bit further than individual devices working independently do. A Smart Home integrates multiple sub-systems that are all controlled by a master home automation controller, which receives input from all devices around the home, issues commands & controls everything.
Visit our "Home Automation Aids" section to find out more about these and other products that are available in South Africa to assist persons with Mobility Impairments and the companies that supply them, or visit our "Bathroom Aids" page to find out more about the Bathroom Aids and Accessories listed above and the companies that supply them. Please feel free to Contact Us if you need any assistance.
Working From Home - Video Conferencing, Meeting and Communication Software
Many persons with disabilities, especially persons who use wheelchairs battle to find "Accessible Transport" and a company that offers "Accessible Office Space" when looking for a job. "Working From Home" solves many of these problems and due to the Caronavirus Epidemic, this has become a norm for many people over the past few months and into the future, which opens the door for many persons with disabilities to work from home and become employed.
There is a variety of different types of tools and software that can assist you with this including Web Conferencing Software, which allows participants to conduct or attend meetings via the internet. This is also known as online meeting software or Video Conferencing, it enables remote meetings based on VoIP, online video, instant messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing.
Web and video conferencing tools have become fundamental to how many organizations conduct business during this time, the software enables remote employees, customers, and partners to connect easily and often. Specific uses for web conferencing software include:
- Presentations or webinars
- Conference calls
- Video meetings with multiple participants
- Running product demos and training
- 1-on-1 meetings with remote employees
- Face-to-face customer support
Other benefits of using web and video conferencing software are Enhanced communications; Reduced travel costs and Increased efficiency. The quality of audio and video is a key factor to consider and users should also consider the bandwidth usage of the software. Meeting presenters should be able to share their screens with participants and schedule meetings or initiate impromptu meetings. Participants should be able to easily join meetings and mute themselves, the ability to record meetings (and save or download recordings) is offered by some, but not all software. When deciding on software, you should investigate to make sure meeting recordings meet their needs. Other features of some Video Conference Software include:
- Collaboration features such as live chat, audience polling, Q&A, and file sharing.
- Enhanced Security features which include user authentication, permissions, and confidential attendee lists.
- Slideshow presentations; Meeting scheduling and recording; Live chatting; Audience interaction features; File sharing and some web conferencing software products offer a mobile app which allows easy access to video meetings from a mobile device or tablet, while others allow users to call in from mobile devices (audio-only), or join meetings from a mobile-friendly web link.
Some Web and Video Conferencing Software also have free versions and it is important to compare different web and video conferencing solutions before deciding on the one for you. Some of the best Web and Video Conferencing Software include: Zoom, BlueJeans, UberConference, Microsoft Teams, Webex Meetings, Join.me, GoToMeeting, and Skype. Please click on the link below to find out more, or Contact Us if you need any assistance.
Online Shopping and Delivery Services
Online shopping eliminates many of the challenges that persons with Mobility Impairments face when shopping at stores, such as finding reliable transportation to shops, accessible parking, the lack of elevators & accessible shops, products on high shelves and crowded areas. Online shopping can also assist the elderly & persons with Visual Impairments, Hearing Impairments & Intellectual Impairments, especially now with the lockdown and threat of the Coronavirus affecting so many people, especially putting at risk the elderly and many persons with Mobility Impairments, not only from a health point of view but also from a safety point of view.
There have become an increasing number of companies across the country offering online shopping and a delivery service, these range from big companies such as Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Checkers to Multiple Store Delivery companies like OneCart: On-Demand, who deliver from various stores. There are also various private people who are offering a personalized shopping and delivery service to your door in various Cities and provinces across the country, saving you time and the risk of infection. Click on the links below to visit these On-line shops or to contact those running these Personalized Shopping Services near you:
- Pick n Pay Online Shopping
- Checkers Sixty60 - Groceries Delivery
- OneCart: On-Demand Groceries
- Yebo Fresh
- DiSA Deliveries: Email Us to find out about our personalized shopping and delivery service to your door in Cape Town.
Disclaimer
This FREE services and website that we offer is privately run & funded and is not run or funded by the Government. We therefore rely on advertising and donations to continue to supply and improve this Free service. The Companies, Clubs, Schools and Organizations that have their logos on this site, have advertised or made donations to the Website and have therefore assisted us be able to continue to offer this free Service. Please support them as they have supported Us and please contact us if you can advertise with us or would like to make a donation!
Please Note: Any articles, templates, or information provided by Disability Info South Africa (DISA) on the website are for reference only. While we strive to keep the information up to date and correct, we take no responsibility for or make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the use, copying, sharing or selling of information, articles, templates, or related graphics contained on the website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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