Information Desk
The Information Desk is the 1st of the 4 pillars which fall under the DiSA Umbrella. The DiSA Information Desk was created in 2015 to help provide a “Free One - Stop Information Service” to assist Persons with Disabilities and their families in South Africa, whom 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.
"Unlock The Shackles Of Your Disability Using The Key Of Knowledge" embodies our belief that knowledge is power and that, with the correct information at our fingertips via our Website, Search Facility and Contact Centre support service, we can supply easy access to essential information and contact details of suppliers and service providers which can assist and cater for persons with disabilities.
Having access to these services is a basic human right and is the first step towards creating an inclusive South Africa, where no person is excluded or discriminated against and everyone is aware of their rights and what services, organizations and products are available to assist them.”
As South Africa’s Premium and Free Disability Information Portal DiSA has identified an urgent need to not only Inform persons with disabilities on what services and products are available to assist them through our Information Desk, but to also Identify and log barriers to access through our Yes to Access - platform and then Address and remove these inequalities, discrimination and barriers through our Accessible Cities-South Africa (AC-SA) platform. Via our DiSA’s News Network (DNN), DiSA will Empower all persons with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest potential and then celebrate their achievements.
What is a Disability?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines, "An impairment as any temporary or permanent loss or abnormality of a body structure or function, whether physical or psychological" and that "Disability is imposed by society when a person with a physical, psychosocial, intellectual, neurological and/or sensory impairment is denied access to full participation in all aspects of life, and when society fails to uphold the rights and specific needs of individuals with impairments."
According to The White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, persons with disabilities are categorized under the following 5 impairment groups: Physical; Sensory; Intellectual; Psychosocial and Neurological impairments. Some persons with impairments are affected by more than 1 type of impairment, where either only one or both can be considered as disabling.
For the purposes of the DiSA website and the information that we supply to assist persons with disabilities, we have categorized the 5 impairment groups above, under the following 4 impairment groups below, to make it easier to find information that can assist you.
This section includes persons who have injuries or conditions that impairs a person through their mobility or physical appearance.
Hearing
Impairments
This section includes and assists persons who have injuries or conditions that impairs a person through their
Hearing.
Intellectual Impairments
This section assists persons who have injuries or conditions that impairs a persons Intellectual, Psychosocial or Neurological
Information Website
This Information Website is categorised under the 4 Impairments below, it covers a number of areas, with the aim of supplying relevant information about Companies, Organisations, Products, Services, Educational and Health Care Services that are available to assist persons with disabilities.
Search Facilities
Our Information Desk includes 6 Different Search Facilities to make it easier to search for Suppliers of Products or Services; Organizations; Accessible Sports Clubs; Health Care Facilities and Accessible Educational Facilities. The information is listed with their contact details and a link to their web site or Facebook page.
Contact Centre
Our Contact Centre provides a free Telephone, WhatsApp and E-mail Service, whereby you can contact us for information if you cannot find what you are looking for on the website. Please feel free to “Contact Us” via the details provided and we will put you in contact with the relevant parties to assist you.
Links and Definitions
- Find out more about persons with disability in South Africa: Government stats & profile of persons with disabilities in South Africa
- Find out more about the Rights of persons with disabilities: The White paper On the Rights of persons with disabilities
- Find out more about the: Technical Assistance Guidelines for People with Disabilities