Rehabilitation & Disability
OT in Rehabilitation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends access to rehabilitation as a human right. To date, rehabilitation in South Africa is not a health priority. More South Africans are now living with pharmacologically managed chronic, communicable diseases, and often suffer significant challenges to physical and mental health. Occupational therapists working in rehabilitation teams promote, prevent, habilitate and rehabilitate persons to independence in the occupations and activities of daily living that matter to them. The National Rehabilitation Policy of South Africa (NRP) (2000) highlights the need for access to professional health care services, redistribution and optimal utilization of resources and research in the field of disability and rehabilitation.
Strategies
Framework and strategy for disability and rehabilitation services in South Africa, 2015-2020
National strategic framework on universal design and access
National strategic framework on reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities
Integrated national disability strategy : white paper
White Papers
White paper on the rights of persons with disabilities: implementation matrix, 2015-2030
Policy
Rehabilitation for all: national rehabilitation policy.
Employment
Promoting the right to work of persons with disabilities : monitoring framework
Plans
The National development plan 2030: persons with disabilities as equal citizens
The Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) matrix consists of 5 components: health, education, livelihoods, social and empowerment with CBR activities aimed at reducing poverty amongst persons with disabilities and meeting their needs related to health, education, livelihoods and social concerns. Read more
Global Development Priorities
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015) and the associated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (to which South Africa is a signatory) provides a framework for countries to take action on development priorities. Aimed at ending poverty in all its forms, the UN 2030 Agenda envisages “a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination”. SDG 3 aims to achieve universal health coverage, that seeks equitable access of healthcare services for all men and women. Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. Read more
