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This report portrays the findings of research on the experiences of inclusion/exclusion of people with disabilities in faith communities, from a social work perspective. It was a journey undertaken with a group of people with disabilities in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa during 2009 and 2010. In narrations on the journey, participants expressed their experiences of exclusion, not being considered and their personhood not always being respected in faith communities. However, the journey also revealed suggestions of how their inclusion could be enhanced by changing practices, developing understanding of the needs of people with disabilities, and raising awareness of these. The report concludes with recommendations for ways that people with disabilities and others in faith communities can journey together in faith communities to the benefit of all. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neuromuscular condition, and explores what living with this disease encompasses. The study is structured around two fundamental research questions that amount to people's experiences regarding how (in which areas) the disease affects them, and how they continuously deal with it. In order to address the research questions, data gathered from participants was qualitatively analysed, using grounded theory methodology. The study culminated in the formulation of a substantive grounded theory as to how affected people manage the disease's manifestations in order to optimise their continuous adaptation and well-being. A tripartite of concerns comprised the core concern, whereas the basic social psychological process of engaging with CMT emerged as the core strategy used by affected people to deal with the concerns. The core's three sub processes constituted three mostly sequential stages that CMT-affected people pass through in their adaptation to the disease. The identified theory and existing stage models of adaptation to chronic illnesses and disabilities were juxtaposed and discussed. The three stages were compared to and integrated with the relevant literature. These actions revealed that there are a number of new formulations and processes contained in all three stages, and that the first and last stages (orientating and optimising) are themselves unique. It emerged that there is no theoretical end-point to the adaptation process, but that a relative saturation point amounted to a variant of an outcome, called qualified wellness. For most, the core strategy was successful in resolving the main concern. A few, however, still experienced fear and agony about inheritance and dependency issues. This study contributes, via the route of knowledge and insight empowerment, to the well-being of people with CMT, including those who are struggling but do not know that they have this disease. Broadening of insight may also benefit medical help professionals and streamline service delivery. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

The family is a miniature society, where a child is afforded the opportunity to develop, form relationships and create his/her own identity. The child's development does not always take place without certain challenges. Different internal and external factors influence a child's development. Certain external factors, for instance a child with disabilities, can have a negative or positive influence on the child. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the child with Cerebral Palsy on the social and emotional development of siblings. The research will be done using the idiographic method. The results show that the child with Cerebral Palsy does have an influence on the emotional and social development of siblings. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The family is a miniature society, where a child is afforded the opportunity to develop, form relationships and create his/her own identity. The child's development does not always take place without certain challenges. Different internal and external factors influence a child's development. Certain external factors, for instance a child with disabilities, can have a negative or positive influence on the child. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the child with Cerebral Palsy on the social and emotional development of siblings. The research will be done using the idiographic method. The results show that the child with Cerebral Palsy does have an influence on the emotional and social development of siblings. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neuromuscular condition, and explores what living with this disease encompasses. The study is structured around two fundamental research questions that amount to people's experiences regarding how (in which areas) the disease affects them, and how they continuously deal with it. In order to address the research questions, data gathered from participants was qualitatively analysed, using grounded theory methodology. The study culminated in the formulation of a substantive grounded theory as to how affected people manage the disease's manifestations in order to optimise their continuous adaptation and well-being. A tripartite of concerns comprised the core concern, whereas the basic social psychological process of engaging with CMT emerged as the core strategy used by affected people to deal with the concerns. The core's three sub processes constituted three mostly sequential stages that CMT-affected people pass through in their adaptation to the disease. The identified theory and existing stage models of adaptation to chronic illnesses and disabilities were juxtaposed and discussed. The three stages were compared to and integrated with the relevant literature. These actions revealed that there are a number of new formulations and processes contained in all three stages, and that the first and last stages (orientating and optimising) are themselves unique. It emerged that there is no theoretical end-point to the adaptation process, but that a relative saturation point amounted to a variant of an outcome, called qualified wellness. For most, the core strategy was successful in resolving the main concern. A few, however, still experienced fear and agony about inheritance and dependency issues. This study contributes, via the route of knowledge and insight empowerment, to the well-being of people with CMT, including those who are struggling but do not know that they have this disease. Broadening of insight may also benefit medical help professionals and streamline service delivery. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

This study, BLACK COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE DISABLED - EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS, set out to investigate the attitude of the black community towards the disabled. Literature was consulted to provide a backdrop against which the empirical surveys could be measured. The study used systematic observation interviews for data collection. Appointments were made to conduct the interviews. The study obtained responses from 70 interviewees from four African cultures namely the Vend~ Pedi, Tsonga and Ndebele, who were divided into seven groups, ten per group, i.e. parents of the disabled, the disabled themselves, siblings of the disabled, parents of non-disabled, youth, old people and professional workers. Findings indicated that disabilities such as cerebral palsy, orthopaedic disabilities, blindness and deafness are undesirable and constitute problems in the life of a disabled, their families in general perspective and the community at large. Disabilities constituted different attitudes and were identified as varying from total rejection to acceptance which are brought about by the components of the TRIPARTITE MODEL I A B C MODEL being cognitive, affective and behavioural. Education of the whole black community concerning the issue of disabled people seems to be the only answer to bring about a change of attitude towards the disabled. Therefore a number of recommendations were included to serve as guidance and counselling so that myth and witchcraft ideologies and negative attitudes can be uprooted. The researcher hopes that the effort that went into this· study will be beneficial in the process of educating the black community about the disabled with the ultimate goal of changing existing negative attitudes towards the disabled into positive attitudes of acceptance and support. / Psychology of Education / D Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This study, BLACK COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE DISABLED - EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS, set out to investigate the attitude of the black community towards the disabled. Literature was consulted to provide a backdrop against which the empirical surveys could be measured. The study used systematic observation interviews for data collection. Appointments were made to conduct the interviews. The study obtained responses from 70 interviewees from four African cultures namely the Vend~ Pedi, Tsonga and Ndebele, who were divided into seven groups, ten per group, i.e. parents of the disabled, the disabled themselves, siblings of the disabled, parents of non-disabled, youth, old people and professional workers. Findings indicated that disabilities such as cerebral palsy, orthopaedic disabilities, blindness and deafness are undesirable and constitute problems in the life of a disabled, their families in general perspective and the community at large. Disabilities constituted different attitudes and were identified as varying from total rejection to acceptance which are brought about by the components of the TRIPARTITE MODEL I A B C MODEL being cognitive, affective and behavioural. Education of the whole black community concerning the issue of disabled people seems to be the only answer to bring about a change of attitude towards the disabled. Therefore a number of recommendations were included to serve as guidance and counselling so that myth and witchcraft ideologies and negative attitudes can be uprooted. The researcher hopes that the effort that went into this· study will be beneficial in the process of educating the black community about the disabled with the ultimate goal of changing existing negative attitudes towards the disabled into positive attitudes of acceptance and support. / Psychology of Education / D Ed. (Psychology of Education)