Menu Hobbies & Activities - Disability Info SA

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Introduction

Having a disability shouldn't stand in your way of enjoying or discovering new hobbies & activities. Whether you enjoy solitary activities such as fishing or reading, or would like to engage in group activities, like playing Cards or Darts, or even if you are an adrenalin junkie & would prefer Shark Cage Diving or Skydiving, there is always something for you, no matter what your age or type of Impairment is. Persons with Mobility Impairments can achieve important benefits by taking part in activities & hobbies, they  encourage socializing, bring enjoyment and can improve your mood, reduce anxiety & stress and some activities such as Horse Riding can also be a great form of therapy. Some hobbies do however include barriers like affordability and may require traveling. If an activity is not possible due to your Mobility Impairment, it can usually be adapted so that you can still participate, there are various types of Assistive Devices which are available to be purchased throughout South Africa from organizations & companies such as QASA, who provide some of the Equipment & Assistive Devices through their Neville Cohen Sports Fund, while some companies & organisations such as Tumanako Equine TherapyQASA also provide these Hobbies & Activities to their members. Visit our Mobility Impairments - Sports - Sports Clubs & Organisations Page to find out more about the Neville Cohen Sports Fund, or read the article below to find out more information about these different types of Hobbies that are available & the organisations & companies such as QASA & Tumanako Equine Therapy that can assist you, or view the menu on the left.

Books & Reading

Reading is a wonderful hobby and very inexpensive, it provides many benefits and is a hobby that can still be enjoyed despite having a Mobility Impairment. With the assistance of various Reading Aids which are available in South Africa, books & reading can still be enjoyed, even with a severe disability.books & reading

Reading is not only enjoyable, but very important, the act of reading improves your ability to absorb and comprehend written information, helping you in virtually any career path. There are very few jobs today that don't incorporate written information or instructions, and the more you read, the easier it is for you to absorb that information and execute your job better. Reading can be surprisingly social, too, with book clubs turning books into a truly social event.

There are a wide variety of different types Books & Publications which are available & can be acquired from orgnisations such as the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) or from your local library or for practically nothing at used bookstores, as well as on-line, they can be read in small pieces when you have a five minute gap or in large chunks when you have a lazy afternoon. Most books are also incredibly portable & can provide you with many hours of entertainment. There are various Reading Aids that can assist you if you are unable to hold a book or turn pages. Many of these Reading Aids are available to be purchased from various companies around South Africa, while some orgnisations such as the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) can also supply various types of Assistive Devices through the Neville Cohen Sports Fund. Click on the link below to find out more.

Read More: ...Card, Video & Board Games

Card, Video & Board Games

If you enjoy playing Puzzles, Cards, Video games or Board games, there is always something that you should still be able to do despite your Mobility Impairment. You might need help or the assistance of assistive devices, but most of these games are still possible and can be played on your own or in groups. In many instances, your disability will not affect how well you play, so you can play against disabled or able bodied opponents. Focus on the games that you can play, rather than those that you can't.

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Art & Creative Writing

Art & Creative Writing are both great hobbies because, they are not only enjoyable, but also a form of therapy & escapism, you can get so involved in Art & Creative Writing, that you are able to forget your problems & also helps you feel proud in yourself when you have created something. Both Art & Creative Writing can also be used as a way to make money & does not cost much, except anpainting with a brace initial outlay if you need paints, brushes, a computer or Computer Aids, if you don't have them. Some people with severe physical disabilities often feel that they are trapped inside their bodies, but through Art & Creative Writing, they can learn to express themselves, for the most part Art & Creative Writing are still possible even if you have a Mobility Impairment. If you have severe Mobility Impairment, which effects the use of your  hands, but you still have use of your arms, you can still learn to write, draw, paint or create other art, with the use of an assistive device or brace to hold a pen, pencil, paintbrush or tool in place. Most Mobility Impairments will not prevent you from enjoying some form of Art or Creative Writing, for those who do not have use of their arms, Foot or Mouth Painting and creating Art or Creative Writing with the aid of a computer are also options. (See Computer Aids for assistance.)

Other benefits of Art & Creative Writing include:

  • Helps an individual regain a feeling of self worth - they feel that they can create something and can experience the joy of creating their own art.
  • Is a good way to educate others, how people with disabilities, who cannot walk or talk and have limited or no use of their hands can still create something beautiful.
  • Some persons with disabilities earn a very good living through selling their Art or Creative Writing.

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Horse Riding & Therapy

Horse Riding is available in South Africa for persons with various disabilities, as a Sport, Hobby and as various forms of Therapy, known as Horse Riding Therapy and Hippotherapy or Equine Therapy. There are many benefits of animal-assisted activities and therapies, which have been recognized recently and are becoming more well known.
Working and interacting with horses can have a major physical and emotional impact on adults and children of almost all ages with a wide variety of issues and disabilities, including Physical disabilities or Mobility Impairments. These benefits include Recreational; Therapeutic Benefits; Mental Benefits; Physical Benefits and also Encourages Socializing. Horse Riding as a Sport, Hobby and as various forms of Therapy is available in most Provinces in South Africa and is supplied by companies and organizations such as Tumanako Equine Therapy, while Equestrian is also one of the sports that are available for persons with Mobility Impairments at the Paralympics.

Click on the "Read More" link below to find more about Horse Riding for persons with disabilities, as a Sport, Hobby and as various forms of Therapy.

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TV, Sport, Movies & Music 

Listening to Music & Watching Television, Movies & Sport &  are also great Hobbies, especially if you have a Mobility Impairment & have limited movement, they offer a great way to escape from your troubles for a couple of hours & can be both entertaining & inspirational. All of these hobbies can be enjoyed at home on Television, where there are numerous TV programs showing:music & movies

  • a variety of different types of Movies
  • all the latest sports events, including the Paralympics
  • a Large variety of different music.
  • news shows, representing all the worldwide affairs & both domestic and international news.
  • programs, where you can learn about economics, history, geography, and culture.

Some of these Movies, Music & Sports are not available or are limited on the regular channels, but are available on Pay T.V Channels such as DSTV or Top T.V, or can be enjoyed through streaming or live streaming, such as:

  • You Tube, video sharing website, which contains video and audio files on a huge range of topics.
  • Netflix, Showmax, etc. which streams movies and TV shows.

Find out more about this & other TV & Music Aids, click on the link, or Click on the "Read More" link below to find more about "TV, Sport, Movies & Music"

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References

hobbies, activities & clubs
Gold Level Membership
QuadPara Association of South Africa
Tumanako