RRH: Rural and Remote Health. Published article number: 2919 - Determining the competences of community based workers for disability-inclusive development in rural areas of South Africa, Botswana and Malawi

Introduction: The benefits of engaging in sport and other free-time activities empower youth to learn social and life skills. There is little research evidence that participation builds competence for livelihoods development of youth with disabilities. This article investigates the capacity of non-governmental organisations to extend the outcomes of participation in these activities for livelihoods development. It argues that occupational therapists employed in non-governmental organisations could play this key role. Method: The study utilised an exploratory, intrinsic case study design to provide meaningful, context-related knowledge and insight about real-life events. Twenty disabled youth and 12 parents of disabled children, between the ages of 18 and 37 years, were selected through five non-governmental organisations in an urban metropole and town, and two rural farming communities in South Africa. Findings: Two themes emerged: first, family as anchor and catalyst for social and economic inclusion; and second, creating capacity for inclusive environments, systems and services to maximise resources for livelihood development. Conclusion: Occupational therapists in non-governmental organisations are well positioned to facilitate capacity-building of a community-based inclusive workforce to ensure systems for public service delivery are accessible and affordable. Then, the social and life skills developed through sport and free-time activities may enable the livelihoods development of all youth.

This paper presents a second part reporting on Community Disability Entrepreneurship Project (CoDEP) which was initiated in order to contribute to the development of entrepreneurial skills of disabled people living in informal settlements around Cape Town, South Africa. The aim of CoDEP has been the upliftment and economic empowerment of disabled people. This paper describes the point of departure, the theoretical framework of participatory action research (PAR), the development of research parameters, and continued focus. A participatory action research (PAR) approach was initiated in order to monitor and inform the effective development of CoDEP. This cyclic methodology allowed all participants to engage in decision-making and development of the programme. While negotiating partnerships with disabled entrepreneurs, the six spheres within which optimal interaction could take place emerged as: (i) the choice of occupation; (ii) changing a culture of receiving; (iii) nurturing teamwork by negotiating roles and responsibilities; (iv) a focus on ability; (v) understanding the research process; and (vi) organizational development dynamics. Committed interaction emerged as the quintessence of these partnerships.

A Transect Walk to Establish Opportunities and Challenges for Youth with Disabilities in Winterveldt, South Africa

Purpose. This study compared access to 5 livelihood assets among disabled and non-disabled youth, to inform health professionals on inequities related to disability and to monitor the transformation agenda aimed at creating an inclusive society. Methods. Fieldworkers interviewed 989 youth (18 - 35 years; 523 (52.9%) disabled youth (DY), 466 (47.1%) non-disabled youth (NDY)) at 9 sites in 5 South African provinces. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics and livelihood assets. Chi-squared and t-tests were used for comparisons. Results. Doctors at hospitals and nurses at clinics are health professionals most frequently seen. Far fewer DY than NDY attended and completed school. Unemployment was markedly more common among DY than among NDY. Barriers to accessing employment for DY were poor health and lack of skills development, and a lack of job opportunities for NDY. Both groups received the same amount of support from immediate household members, but significantly more NDY received support from extended family, friends, partners, and neighbours. They spent significantly more time engaging in all free-time activities. NDY reported more access to bathrooms, phone, and newspapers, as well as public services and the business sector. Participation and access were limited for both groups because of inaccessible public transport. Conclusion. This paper shows that DY have a greater struggle to access livelihood assets than non-disabled peers. The Disability Studies Academic Programme at the University of Cape Town is an initiative that seeks to take specific focused action with disability organisations in order to address the inequities faced by disabled youth to ensure their inclusion in development to the same degree as their non-disabled peers.