There are known benefits of father involvement in a child's life, such as positively affecting the child's life prospects, academic achievement, physical and emotional health as well as linguistic, literary and cognitive development. In African settings, fathers are traditionally the heads of families and the main decision makers in matters like the education of their children. However, a limited body of scientific knowledge exists on fathers' roles and involvement in the education of their disabled children in the African context. To address this knowledge gap, a qualitative case study to understand the nature of father involvement in the education of learners with intellectual disabilities in a special school in Kenya was conducted. The research question was: what is the nature of father involvement in the education of disabled learners at Sir Ali Special School, Kenya? The study was guided by theoretical perspectives from disability studies in education, masculinity and postcolonial theory. The field of disability studies in education focuses on the application of the social model of disability in an education context. The theories of masculinity look at the social construction of the male identity, and the postcolonial theory explores the colonial legacy of the study context. The data were collected from eight fathers, six mothers, nine teachers and six disabled learners using individual interviews, key informant interviews, draw-and-tell interviews, focus group discussions, document review and field notes. The data were analysed thematically. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: influence of cultural norms and values on father involvement, fathers' concerns in educating disabled children, and impact of understanding disability on father involvement. It was established that the intersection between patriarchy and masculinity affects normative gender roles that influence father involvement in the education of disabled children in a dynamic context. It was also evident that the cost of disability is greater than that of nondisability and this influences how fathers are involved in the education of their disabled children. Additionally, fathers wanted the best for their disabled children but different views about the purpose of the special school affected their involvement in the education of their disabled children. Furthermore, the meaning of disability influenced father involvement in the education of disabled children. It was concluded that father involvement in the education of disabled children in this African setting was complex and presented itself in ways that were different from what formal western education expected. This study provides critical new knowledge on how father involvement in the formal education of disabled children is constructed within the context of a specific school in an African setting. The new knowledge not only adds to the current limited evidence in the literature on father involvement, but also might assist education stakeholders like ministries of education and development workers in advancing best practice regarding implementation of family support structures for disabled children's education in Africa.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-128). / The purpose the study was to explore the experiences of mothers when nurturing the sexuality of their young disabled girls, and to gain some insight into the level of awareness and information that young disabled girls have about sexuality.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-120). / There is no real agreement on how to evaluate community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes. Many diverse methods have been used. This qualitative study aimed to describe the change in quality of life of children with cerebral palsy and their carers as perceived by the carers themselves and some of the children. The study was conducted at the ART CBR programme that operates in the city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-71). / This study arose out of the necessity to have an isiXhosa version of the ICF Checklist to use in a study on the living conditions of people with disabilities in the Eastern and Western provinces of South Africa carried out by a partnership between the University of Cape Town, the University of Oslo, The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Norwegian Institute of Technology (Sintef) and Disabled People South Africa (DPSA). The purpose of translating the ICF Checklist was to make sure that the tool was appropriate and culturally sound for use by isiXhosa speaking disabled people in the Eastern and Western Cape.

Includes abstract.~Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-67). / The post-apartheid South Africa signalled change in various segments of our society including the socio-economic status of young black disabled women. This study was conducted to examine the impact that equality and equity strategies and interventions had on the economic status of young black disabled women of South Africa. This study contains a literature review on the cornerstone concepts of the study to provide a rich theoretical base to ground the research. In this regard a literature review was done on study key concepts such as, a developmental state, gender, and disability and the economy. Using narrative descriptive qualitative methods, the researcher used convenience sampling of four physically disabled women who are leaders in the disability rights movement. The sample took into cognisance provincial boundaries, different disabilities, races and ages in an endeavour to have as diverse a population as possible.

Includes abstract.~Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-108). / It is a common belief that people with Down syndrome are to be considered not capable of being employed in the open labour market. Upon leaving school they are usually placed in segregated setting such as sheltered or protected workshops or are simply left at home. This study aims to establish which factors influence the aspirations of youth with Down syndrome with regards to gainful employment. This study gave the participants an opportunity to speak up for themselves and provided insight into the factors that influence their employment. The literature review encompasses a theoretical base on key concepts such as Down syndrome, aspirations, employment, education and community based rehabilitation. A naturalistic approach focusing on qualitative design was used to establish these factors using collective case studies. The studied population was the Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA) branch in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Six young people with Down syndrome formed the sample group of which three participants were employed in the open labour market, and three were working in protective environments. Informal interviews were done and all interviews were transcribed verbatim. A preliminary analysis was done to extract the important themes and data which were then compared. A thematic framework was developed for classification and summary of the data. Cross referencing of members was also done to ensure trustworthiness. The study focuses on the community based rehabilitation (CBR) aims as a framework. By using the actual opinions of youth with Down syndrome the following themes emerged as a result of the findings: 1. Challenges to employment. 2. Making work work. 3. Prepare and teach them well. 4. Lift their potential.The study found that the resilience shown by parents and family members as well as the self-determination shown by youth with Down syndrome was a most enabling factor. It further revealed that parents can be seen as the major stakeholders in the success of youth with Down syndrome and support for parents and family members.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the role of Community Disability Workers (CDWs) in facilitating livelihood opportunities for disabled youth in rural Southern Botswana. The CDWs in the study worked in Community- based Rehabilitation (CBR) programmes. The elements of the Livelihood component of CBR Guidelines include skills development, self-employment, waged employment, financial assistance and social security. In particular, the study presented the knowledge, skills, practices (activities and methods), and strategies used by CDWs to facilitate access to the livelihood opportunities for disabled youths in rural areas. The literature review explored CBR as a strategy for addressing the needs and demands of people with disabilities. Botswana has implemented a CBR programme which is co-ordinated at the Rehabilitation Division of the Ministry of Health and involves disabled people, health professionals, the community and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Community health workers coordinate disability activities in rural as well as urban areas and comprise a range of health care practitioners namely physiotherapists, social workers, rehabilitation technicians, rehabilitation officers and health education assistants. In this study, community health workers were referred to as CDWs and only those with tertiary qualifications (certificate, diploma or degree level of training) were used as participants. Methodology: A qualitative research approach using a case study design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to select seven participants from districts in the southern part of Botswana to participate in the study. The unit of study were the practices of the CDW in facilitating access to livelihood opportunities for disabled youth. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the CDWs. Interviews were digitally recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Analysis of data involved coding for themes and categories emerging from the data in the context within which it appeared. The environmental chapters of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) were used for data interpretation. Findings: The findings of the study illustrated the role of CDWs in facilitating livelihood opportunities for disabled youth. Five themes that emerged were related to CDWs’ own experience of disability and rural environments, their knowledge and experience in facilitating livelihoods; their practices and strategies; the barriers to participation experienced by disabled youth; and lastly, the CDWs’ suggestions for increasing participation and inclusion of disabled youth in livelihood opportunities. The findings established that CDWs were involved in facilitating access to health facilities and assistive devices as well as education and skills development. Some strategies used were advocacy, networking, information dissemination, role modelling and follow-ups on former students. The barriers identified were inadequate disability policy; absence of disability friendly public facilities and transport; a poorly resourced public education system and inaccessible job markets. Suggestions made by CDWs included having inclusive policies and structures; addressing educational and training needs; accountability regarding employment; and community sensitisation and mobilisation. The Discussion chapter interpreted the findings in terms of current literature and developed two further themes. One addressed the environmental factors impacting on disability and the other one addressed successful strategies to enhance livelihood opportunities in light of these environmental factors. Recommendations included facilitating information on accessibility of assistive devices; minimising barriers to natural and made-made changes to the environment; building a network of supportive relationships; changing attitudes of community as well as government leadership; and facilitating implementation of inclusive services, systems and policies. In Conclusion, CDWs are well placed to facilitate accessibility of livelihood opportunities for disabled youth. However, they need to be empowered with necessary resources such as disability inclusive policies, systems and services, attitudinal changes and revision of their training modules.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-120). / The aim of this qualitative, descriptive study was to determine the levels of awareness for communication and flow of information dissemination among the leadership and grassroots members of Disabled People's Organisation (DPOs) in the African Decade of Disabled People (ADDP).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-86). / The purpose of this study is to explore the information that the mothers of disabled children have on the provisions of the Children's Act (CA) (Act no.38 of 2005) and the Children's Amendment Act (CAA) (Act No.41 of 2007). The two Acts were consolidated after the regulations had been adopted. The Children's Act gives effect to the three specific constitutional rights of children contained in section 28. These are: a. The right to social services. b. The right to parental or family care or to appropriate alternative care when removed from their family. c. Protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. This Act stipulates the services that are required to give effect to the three State obligations. The aim of the research was 1) to investigate the nature of information which mothers of disabled children have acquired about the Children's Act, and 2) factors influencing the access to this information by these mothers. The study population was mothers whose children have a physical or mental disability. The study sample was purposively selected from mothers of disabled children living in a township in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan, in Gauteng Province. A qualitative research approach was used in this study, and a case study design was adopted. Individual in-depth interviews were held with four participants. The data collected through the in-depth interviews was analysed using a thematic content analysis. The findings of this study will raise awareness among mothers of disabled children and their organizations of the rights and services to which disabled children are entitled according to the Children's Act. It will therefore enable them individually and through DPOs to more effectivity monitor the implementation of the Act by the State and to enforce compliance by the State of its obligations to disabled children in terms of the Children's Act.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / The City of Cape Town Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department (COCT SRA) has drafted its own policy document on sport and recreation in order to align with national policy to guide efficient recreational service delivery. The COCT SRA should play a role in the development of all children within the communities it serves. The implementers of the recreational services thus play a vital role in ensuring efficient service delivery to all. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of recreation officers regarding their contribution to enabling the inclusion of visually impaired children in the Come and Play Programme. Furthermore to illuminate potential barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of visually impaired children in order to facilitate policy implementation.