What We Do
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What We Do

Social Work and Developmental Services

OAPD renders social work and developmental services through an integrated approach. Our programmes support persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers through direct services, education, care, development, skills and community-based support.

Core Social Services includes:

Disability-specific education and awareness
Therapeutic social work and casework
Psychosocial support for persons with disabilities, parents and caregivers
Life-skills and skills-development programmes
Peer support, home visits and community-based support

Special Day-Care Services

OAPD supports three day-care programmes that provide safe, supportive environments, stimulation, development and respite support for families.

Kleinmond Special Day-Care Centre

Kleinmond

Kleinmond Special Day-Care Centre opened in January 2021 to support children with disabilities in the Kleinmond area.

The centre operates from Mthimkulu Village through a lease agreement with the Grail Centre Trust and is one of only a few special day-care centres in the Overberg District.

The centre provides a structured day-care programme from 09:00 to 15:00, including music stimulation, gardening, outdoor play, educational outings and developmental activities. The Departments of Education and Health provide therapeutic support, which may include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and social work intervention. The centre also provides important respite support, enabling parents and caregivers to pursue employment, income-generating opportunities and parenting programmes.
Ithemba Day-Care Centre

Zwelihle

Ithemba Day-Care Centre was established in October 2017 as a special day-care centre for children with disabilities in Zwelihle.

The centre grew from a need identified by parents and confirmed through social work intervention, including the need for respite care. It was established through the involvement of parents, OAPD board members, peer supporters and staff, the Zwelihle Welfare Society and Overstrand Municipality.

The centre provides a safe, supportive environment in which each child is recognised as an individual and given opportunities to develop to their full potential. The programme promotes dignity, self-reliance and meaningful participation; supports motor, social, emotional, communication and cognitive development; and encourages each child’s self-worth and sense of belonging. Close cooperation between parents, staff, the management committee and sponsoring body is an important part of the development programme.
Bright Star Adult Day-Care

Hawston

Bright Star Adult Day-Care began in September 2018 in response to the needs of young adults with intellectual disabilities who had completed school and had limited access to ongoing stimulation, education and development opportunities.

The programme provides intellectual, social, emotional and physical stimulation, learning and development, life skills, skills development, education workshops, parent education and a supportive environment that promotes belonging and purpose.

Work, Employment & Skills Development

OAPD believes that meaningful participation and access to skills development can strengthen economic empowerment, confidence, independence and inclusion. The organisation creates opportunities for persons with disabilities who may otherwise struggle to access training or employment.

Skills and training activities have included craft production, gardening and food production, woodwork, hospitality, building and maintenance, computer skills, first aid, home-based care, sewing and knitting, project management, fitness coaching and other practical and work-readiness programmes.
Abalone Shell Arts & Craft

Hawston

Gardening & Food Production

Hawston

Life Skills

Life-skills programmes support persons with disabilities and their parents or caregivers with practical, personal and work-readiness development.

Activities may include work ethics, relationships and choices, substance-use prevention, human-trafficking awareness, basic cooking, recreation, computer skills, first aid, home-based care, handwork such as knitting and sewing, sport and fitness, and information on rights and practical life matters.

Skills and training activities have included craft production, gardening and food production, woodwork, hospitality, building and maintenance, computer skills, first aid, home-based care, sewing and knitting, project management, fitness coaching and other practical and work-readiness programmes.

Psychosocial Support

OAPD provides psychosocial support to persons with disabilities, parents and caregivers through social work services, support groups and targeted programmes. Activities may include youth support, psychosocial rehabilitation, family and relationship support, art therapy, coping skills, parent education and caregiver support groups.

Fitness & Wellness

Fitness and wellness programmes provide opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and connection. These activities support wellbeing while helping to address loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older participants.

Parent Education, Training & Home Stimulation

OAPD supports parents and caregivers through education and training, including home-stimulation support for persons with severe to profound disabilities who cannot access day-care services.

The Early Childhood Development Home Stimulation approach equips parents and caregivers to provide stimulation and support at home, while strengthening their skills and capacity to care for children with disabilities.

Peer Support

OAPD’s Peer Support Programme recruits and supports peer supporters who act as a direct link and intermediary between persons with disabilities and OAPD’s social work team. Their work strengthens service delivery in different communities through home visits, individual interviews, group sessions and disability-awareness activities.