WHAT:

Participants develop problem-solving skills to meet the changing needs of a child with a mobility impairment within the family’s specific context. Training draws on National Rehabilitation Policy and WHO Steps for comprehensive wheelchair service provision.

LENGTH/DURATION:

Basic programme ±3hours: awareness of the needs of clients with physical impairments; In depth programme ±3 days: in-depth instruction with hands-on demonstration & participation 

FORMAT/STYLE: 

Remote and In-person options available

ACCREDITATION: 

CPD for therapists

24 Hour Posture Support

WHO: Teachers, Parents, Caregivers, Social & Auxiliary Workers, Healthcare staff (nurses; CHW’s), Orthotists/Prosthetists, Health Students, Technicians, Medical Aid Scheme administration staff.

WHY: Provision of postural support is important at all times – during activity or rest. Participants learn to maintain posture throughout the day and night. Correct positioning is sustained by good alignment when out of the device (e.g. sidelying, on the back, tummy or standing). 

WHAT: Participants develop problem-solving skills to meet the changing needs of a child with a mobility impairment within the family’s specific context. Training draws on National Rehabilitation Policy and WHO Steps for comprehensive wheelchair service provision.

LENGTH/DURATION: Basic programme ±3hours: awareness of the needs of clients with physical impairments; In depth programme ±3 days: in-depth instruction with hands-on demonstration & participation 

FORMAT/STYLE: Remote and In-person options available

ACCREDITATION: CPD for therapists

Community Based Outreach Seating

WHO: Physiotherapists & Occupational therapists (com serve, government, private); Wheelchair Technicians; Orthotists & Prosthetists; Community health workers. 

WHY:  Provides mentorship through joint practice and can help alleviate skills shortages by offering advice & support for clinics/hospitals to ensure devices are prescribed and fitted correctly.  Clients seated during the workshop provide practical case studies and addresses capacity issues.

WHAT:  Participants develop basic understanding of WHO recommended seating steps and practical skills to run local clinics which provide sustainable, accessible seating services.

LENGTH/DURATION:  +/- 5 days.

FORMAT / STYLE:  In-person training.

ACCREDITATION:  CPD for Therapists 

Community Based Play and Learning

 WHO: Rehabilitation therapists (PT, OT, SLTs, permanent & comm-serve); Multi-disciplinary teams (Community Health workers, CBR workers, CPID teams, etc.)

WHY: Capacitates participants to identify and support local stakeholders who can champion inclusive play for children with disabilities in their communities.

WHAT: Ideal for teams working in communities where inclusive learning & play opportunities are lacking. Ideally children with disabilities should be onsite to enable practical skills development during the programme.

LENGTH/DURATION: ±5 days.

FORMAT/STYLE: Combination of remote and in-person training

ACCREDITATION: CPD for Therapists 

Different types of Impairments

WHO: All community members; Community Development and Health Workers, teachers, staff and volunteers of community based organisations/NGOs working in South African Context.

WHY: Social inclusion is a basic human need: People with disabilities and their families often experience stigma and discrimination, which leads to isolation and exclusion.  Increased knowledge about different types of impairments equips people with disabilities, their families and communities with the confidence to engage with health care and other service providers. 

WHAT: Learn to influence people’s perceptions and challenge the myths that cause stigma and discrimination. Community workers and service providers will benefit from this basic knowledge. 

LENGTH/DURATION: ± 2 days

FORMAT/STYLE: Remote and In-person options available

ACCREDITATION: Certificate of Attendance

Ecosystems for Inclusion

WHO: All professionals

WHY: Capacitate professionals in terms of appropriate referral pathways for persons with disabilities and their families.

WHAT: Participants explore what  functioning referral networks look like within communities. They will be equipped with a strong understanding of their rights and responsibilities as active duty bearers based on the White Paper VI on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

LENGTH/DURATION: ± 3 days

FORMAT/STYLE: Remote and In-person options available

ACCREDITATION: Certificate of Attendance

Wheelchairs as a Tool for Inclusion (Introduction)

WHO: Third and fourth year allied health students from South African universities, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy students.

WHY: Seating is a specialized skill requiring postgraduate training. Current training at universities is not able to prepare students fully for the realities of wheelchair service provision. 

WHAT: Participation in this program  will enable students to respond appropriately to much-needed interventions once they enter the public service domain and to provide channels for development and remote support in seating. Students will have opportunities to apply theory in different contexts and will be equipped with skills to ensure appropriate clinical reasoning and problem-solving. They will be familiarised with the National tender process, spec sheets, and an understanding of what devices are locally available.

FORMAT/STYLE: Remote and In-person options available (In-person format is recommended)

LENGTH/DURATION: Ideally delivered as in-person training format at university venue: 1 full day workshop with additional self-study. Remote training format available: ±5 hours of presentations with additional self-study and feedback sessions to assess self-study activities completed.

ACCREDITATION: CPD Pending

'MOVE TO INCLUDE" MOVING & HANDLING TRAINING

WHO: *Anyone who is interested* to learn more about practical handling of a child with a disability. Recommended for Community Service therapists; Community Health workers; Teachers; Parents; Caregivers; Hospital staff & Nurses; Assistants, Drivers. 

WHY: Inappropriate moving and handling can be a risk for both the child and carer.  Every child is different, therefore the way each child is moved and handled  should be adapted accordingly. With proper training facilitated by experienced SSE teams, these risks to both the child and carer can be mitigated and discomfort or  injury avoided.

WHAT: Instead of creating an additional burden of having to do “exercises,” carers learn how to adapt their daily tasks to benefit the child. Participants gain confidence in moving and handling which encourages trust and builds relationships. Ideally involves hands on practice with children with disabilities during training 

LENGTH/DURATION: ±5 days

FORMAT/STYLE: In-person training

ACCREDITATION: CPD for Therapists

PRODUCT TRAINING

WHO:  Rehabilitation therapists (PT, OT, SLTs, permanent, comm-serve & Private); Procurement officers (DOH & DOE); Orthotists & Prosthetists; Wheelchair Technicians; Community Health workers; Parents; wheelchair users

WHY: Assists therapists  in appropriate prescription and ordering from the tender and informs decision-making.  This  equips staff to provide the best support for the client across his/her lifespan and also extends the life of the device. 

WHAT: Training focuses on the use and adjustment of the Shonaquip range of devices available through the tender, including modular wheelchairs and buggies, back systems and positioners.

LENGTH/DURATION: ±4 days

FORMAT/STYLE: In-person training

ACCREDITATION: CPD for Therapists