Section 12 of the South African Bill of Rights details that people have the right to live free of violence and forbids cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of citizens. In addition to this, section 28 states that children have the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse and degradation. Despite this and other international human rights frameworks, children with disabilities remain extremely vulnerable to:

 

• discrimination

• stigmatisation

• violence and sexual abuse

• extreme poverty

• inadequate service delivery

• being excluded 

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Programmes for parents

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In response, Hope Africa started an Empowerment Programme to enable children with disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life by:

 

• engaging in self-help groups

• promoting access to education for children with disabilities

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and conducting educational workshops on:

 

• self help projects

• the rights and responsibilities for parents of children with disabilities

 

Impoverished children who are mentally and physically challenged often become the victims of stigma and abuse in impoverished communities. We will support and empower the families of children with disabilities by providing the resources and parenting skills they need to provide better care. Special needs children will be referred to special needs schools in the area.