Non-profit organisation Disabled Children in Action Western Cape advocates for the rights of children with disabilities. Pictured here are some of the organisation's staff, volunteers and parents at a recent inclusive play event, which was held at Westridge Gardens.
Image: Alicia English
Non-profit organisation Disabled Children Action Group Western Cape (DICAG WC) is advocating for the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities, empowering children and their parents and caregivers.
While the organisation’s office is at The Farm Recreation Centre in Montrose Park, DICAG WC beneficiaries live across the province, including areas such as Khayelitsha, Philippi, Wallacedene and Scottsdene in Kraaifontein, Strand and George.
The organisation provides training, information and support to children and their parents and caregivers at home and in daycare centres.
Dr Washiela Banien Sait, chief executive officer of DICAG WC, who has her master’s degree in disabilities and her doctorate in disability and rehabilitation, said training and development are key aspects of the organisation's services.
“I do preliminary assessments with children with disabilities, and then send them on to other professionals for formal assessments.
“We also offer support to parents and caregivers, teaching them how to work and interact with their children and do basic rehabilitation with their children at home and centre level,” she said.
DICAG WC works with children with various physical and mental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy and coordinates various activities and interventions that promote inclusivity and communication.
The organisation recently hosted an inclusive play and discovery event for children with and without disabilities and their parents at Westridge Gardens.
Dr Banien Sait said the initiative was more than just an outing.
“It was a powerful reminder that every child, regardless of ability, deserves the right to play, learn, and discover the world around them.
“For many of these children, opportunities to participate in accessible and inclusive activities are rare.
“Through interactive play, sensory experiences, and teamwork challenges, we are creating a space where barriers are broken, friendships are formed, and abilities are celebrated,” she said.
Dr Banien Sait said hosting inclusive events for children with and without disabilities is not always easy due to discrimination, negative attitudes and misunderstandings around people with disabilities.
“Our belief as DICAG is that inclusion starts at home. If you do not include your disabled children in the home already, how do you expect others to include the children outside of the home?,” she said, adding:
“If the child is at the same table, the child will get to understand, I am loved, included and seen. Exposure, inclusion and communication, those are all the things that bring children out and into the sphere of education.
“If you speak to your child from birth, even though your child is disabled or your child doesn’t comprehend, eventually the child does comprehend and understand I am loved.”
Disabled Children Action Group Western Cape is known, among others, for creating opportunities for interactive play between children with and without disabilities. Seen here are a group of children and their parents and caregivers from Mitchell's Plain, Eerste River and Strand who attended the organisation's recent event in Westridge Gardens.
Image: Alicia English
Dr Banien Sait encouraged parents of children with disabilities to accept their children’s conditions as this often impacts their self-esteem.
“God creates us in different ways and shows us life in different forms. If we accept that this is God’s way of teaching us about life and what life is about – then we will be able to accept one another.
“We will never understand what life brings if we do not accept that this is how God creates diversity. If the parents can’t accept it, the child will feel rejected and unloved.
“Love and acceptance is the basis of everything,” she said.
For more information about DICAG WC, contact 021 565 0509 or email westerncape@dicag.co.za.