South Africa seeks better support for children with disabilities
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Illustrative image · Chris Del Santo · Pexels · Licence PexelsSouth Africa's Department of Social Development is calling for stronger cooperation between public authorities, associations and communities to improve support for children with disabilities and their families. According to a 2024 UNICEF analysis, only 8,641 children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities were benefiting from specialised centres in 2022.
South Africa's Department of Social Development is calling for stronger partnerships between public authorities, civil society organisations and communities to improve support for children with disabilities and their families. The department highlights the additional costs of care, limited access to information, negative attitudes and difficulties accessing specialised services, during Disability Rights Awareness Month 2026.
A respite programme allowing parents and carers to receive temporary support while continuing to care for children is currently being piloted in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape provinces. It covers 220 children and their families, according to the Department of Social Development. With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the department is also working to strengthen community-based respite services, including through carer training and improved referral systems.
The South African Social Security Agency also pays 179,609 care dependency grants each month to carers who meet the requirements for children needing additional care because of a disability. The Department of Social Development is also coordinating with the departments of Basic Education and Health on early screening, child referrals and service coordination.
