Sensory Impairments

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Welcome to the Sensory Impairments section, designed to support persons living with one or more sensory impairments by connecting them to relevant information, services, and opportunities.

Sensory impairments arise from conditions or injuries affecting one or more of the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and spatial awareness—and may impact daily functioning and full participation in society.

This section covers the following categories:
– Blind and Visual Impairments
– Deaf and Hearing Impairments
– DeafBlind
– Taste, Smell, Touch & Spatial Awareness

Within each category, you will find information on available services, organisations, assistive products, healthcare and educational resources, as well as sports, recreational activities, and hobbies.

Please select your area of interest below to explore the support available and take the next step toward greater independence and inclusion.

What Are You Looking For?

1.Types of Sensory Impairments:
– Blind | Deaf | DeafBlind
– Taste, Smell, Touch, Spatial Awareness
2. Accessible Features | Parking Disks
3. Assisted Living | Self Help
4. Assistive Devices
5. Disability Grants
6. Disability Tax
7. Education For All
8. Looking for a Job
9. Organisations
10. Service and Guide Dogs
11. Sports and Hobbies
12. Transport and Travel Services
13. Universal Access

1. Select Your Category of Impairment

According to the White Paper on the rights of persons with disabilities, there are 4 categories that make up the group of Sensory Impairments:
Blind and Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hearing Impairments, DeafBlind and Taste, Smell, Touch & Spatial Awareness.
Please select your category of interest below to learn more about the support services, treatment options, assistive resources, and organisations available to assist in South Africa.

Blind & Visual
Impairments

In this section, we cover the definition of Blind and Visual Impairment along with the products, services, and organisations available to provide support.

Find out more

Deaf & Hearing Impairments

In this section, we cover the definition of “Deaf,” “Hearing” and “Hard of Hearing,” Impairments along with the products, services, and organisations available to provide support.

Find out more

People who are
DeafBlind

In this section, we cover the definition of “DeafBlind” .
And we unpack the products, services, and organisations available to provide support.

Find out more

Taste, Smell, Touch & Spatial Awareness

In this section, we explain when the loss of either sense is classified as a disability, and highlight the products and services available to provide support.

Find out more

2. Select Your Category of Interest

Below are categories of specialised services and resources available to assist persons with Sensory Impairments, including Service Providers, Organisations, Clubs and Companies, that provide Products, Services, Information, Sport, Educational and Health Care facilities and professionals.

Please select your area of interest from the categories below and take the next step toward being informed, supported, and empowered.

Icon for Accessible Features and Parking Discs. Click to learn more.

Icon for Assistive Devices for people with Sensory Impairments

Icon for Assisted Living and Self Help Groups. Click to learn more.

Icon for Disability Grants. Click to learn more.

Icon for Disability Tax. Click to learn more.

Icon for Education. Click to learn more.

Icon for Looking for a Job. Click to learn more.

Icon for Organisation. Click to learn more.

Icon for Service and Assistance Dogs. Click to learn more.

Icon for Sport and Hobbies. Click to learn more.

Icon for Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Click to learn more.

3. Sensory Impairments Category Guide

Sensory Impairments refer to injuries, conditions, or diseases that impair a person’s 5 senses, namely Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell and Touch, possibly affecting their ability to participate equally in society. Our Sensory Impairments section addresses the consequent challenges and presents the different products, devices, services, and organisations, available to help. Below are the categories this section addresses. Please select your area of interest and let’s get you equipped and empowered.

1. Types of Sensory Impairments

– Types of Sensory Impairments unpacked. Key Features and Examples

Double arrow indicating a click action is required should the reader wish to learn more about Cross Disability Organisations

2. Accessible Features / Parking Discs

– Accessible Features make public places more accessible, giving equal opportunities and
equal rights for persons with disabilities.
– Companies and organisations that can help you make your business accessible and safe,
– Parking Discs: Who, How and Where to apply

3. Assisted Living / Self Help

– Types of Residential Facilities in South Africa which have been specifically developed
to accommodate and care for persons with sensory impairments or disabilities.

Double chevron arrow indicating a click action is required should the reader wish to learn more about Cross Disability Organisations

4. Assistive Devices

– Assistive Devices and Accessories available in South Africa, including:
– Companies that sell these Assistive Devices and Accessories
– Organisations that Donate Equipment to assist persons with disabilities

5. Disability Grants

– Do you qualify. for Disability Tax Relief?
– How do you Apply?
– Who Can Help?

6. Disability Tax

– Do you qualify. for Disability Tax Relief?
– How do you Apply?
– Who Can Help?

7. Education for All

– Education Rights for Persons with Disabilities
– Education options for persons with disabilities in South Africa
– Bursaries and Job readiness Programs

8. Looking for a Job

– Who can help and what are your options?
– What you need to know as an employer
– What you need to know as an employee
– Creating accessible working environments

9. Organisations

– Types of organisations that assist persons with disabilities.
– Services and support that they provide.

10. Service and Guide Dogs

– Types and Benefits of Service, Assistance and Guide Dogs.
– Companies and Organisations that provide training

11. Sports and Activities

– Sports and hobbies available in South Africa.
– Sports Clubs and organisations that offer disability sport

12. Transport Services / Vehicle Hire

– Accessible public transport, buses, and trains

13. Universal Access

– What is Universal Access? And why does it matter?
– How to ensure your business is compliant
– Companies and Organisations that provide training

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DiSA is committed to promoting the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities as outlined in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We strive to ensure that all content on our website reflects appropriate, respectful, and inclusive language in alignment with these principles.

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1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_dog
2. www.guidedog.org.za
3. www.medicalalertdogs.co.za
4. www.sadogtraining.co.za
5. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy_dog
6. www.paws4life.co.za
7. www.smartservicedog.co.za

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Sensory Impairments