About Us
Who are we?
DPSA is a national assembly of people with disabilities in South Africa, formed in 1984. We are a cross-disability organisation that is run and controlled by disabled people, with offices and structures across the nine provinces of South Africa. We are constituted by 311 member organisations. Our core business is mobilisation, development and advocacy for the rights of disabled people. DPSA is recognised as the National Assembly of disabled people with affiliation to the Southern African Federation of the Disabled [SAFOD] which is affiliated to the Pan African Federation of the Disabled [PAFOD]. All of these structures, national, regional and continental are affiliated to Disabled Peoples International [DPI], which has observer status in the UN.
Mandate
Ensure development and integration of disabled people into all spheres of life in South Africa.
Leadership Statement of Commitment
The DPSA Council of Leadership, supported by the staff, is committed to serve the organisation and its members by:
- practicing strong, and appropriate leadership
- building the organisation and all its members to thrive in the new millennium
- creating a culture of respect for diversity and nurturing tolerance of our differences
- developing and maintaining intellectual, social and economic wealth
These sets of values form the foundation of our collective and individual leadership accountability to the organisation and all its members.
We strongly uphold the principles of self-representation, integration, equality, cross-disability advocacy and diversity.
Vision
A South Africa accessible to all
Mission
To be an effective and efficient democratic national assembly of all persons with disabilities which mobilises us to advocate for our rights and for the attainment of equal opportunity in an integrated social, political and economic environment
Slogan
"Nothing about us without us" - in recognition of the need for disabled people to directly promote the human rights and development of all South Africans with disabilities
Values/Principles
- Self Representation
- Universal Access
- Integration
- Inclusion
- Cross-Disability
- Equality
- Human Rights
- Diversity
Objectives
The objectives of DPSA are:
- To protect and advance the interests of all disabled people in the Republic of South Africa;
- To work with any specialised organisation involved in the disability field should this be in the interest of disabled people in the Republic of South Africa;
- To consider and pass comment on actual or impending legislation in the Republic of South Africa affecting disabled persons and to apply for, petition for, or promote any act of Parliament or other legislative enactment desirable for the betterment and enhancement of the full participation of disabled people;
- To promote research into disability matters and to provide members with information on developments in the disability field inside and outside the Republic of South Africa;
- To provide opportunities for exchange of views among members;
- To implement steps to enable disabled people, as far as it is practicable, to speak with one voice on matters of national or international importance affecting disabled people;
- To promote and develop, on behalf of members, a public relations organization designed to inform the general public about disability, and to present a proper appreciation of the problems experienced by and aspirations of disabled people;
- To apply for membership of, and to co-operate with, national and international bodies representing the interests of disabled people;
- To establish, support, administer, or aid in the establishing, supporting or administration of associations, funds and trusts calculated to benefit members of DPSA or their dependants;
- Generally to do or undertake or advise on anything which may be expedient and in the interest of members of DPSA and the general public in relation to matters of concern to disabled people; and
- Generally to do such other things as may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives
Structure
DPSA has a staff compliment of 69 individuals spread over South Africa in provincial offices. The Secretary General (SG) who reports to the National Executive Council (NEC) leads DPSA`s day-to day activities. In addition a Provincial Coordinator, who reports to the Programmes Manager, leads each Provincial office. Each Province also has a Provincial Development Team (PDT) who guides the activities of the organisation in the Province.
DPSA`s head office is in Cape Town and its nine provincial offices are based in Mpumalanga, Northern Province, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu/Natal, Western Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and North-West. Provincial Development Offices in the Northern Cape and North West Provinces are currently not operational due to lack of funding.
Core Business
- Membership mobilisation
- Membership development
- Research
- Advocacy
- Lobbying
- Networking
Key Strategic Advocacy Areas
- Employment
- Transport
- Sign Language
- Disability Grants
- Education
Sustainability
- Operating an annual budget of R15 - 20million
- Receiving from national funders for programming [National Lotteries Board, Department of Health - Mpumalanga, Department of Social Development - Gauteng and Free State, National Development Agency (NDA)
- International funders - Solidarity Humanity International Aid (SHIA), Norwegian Association of Disabled (NAD)
- Internal fundraising - DEC, Casual Day, TMDTDP, consulting for various disability-related services
- Formation of provincial trusts
Networks/Affiliations
- South African Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition (SANGOCO)
- National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC)
- South African Federal Council in Disability (SAFCD)
- South African Women`s Coalition
- South African Youth Council
- Southern African Federation of Disabled (SAFOD)
- Pan African Federation of Disabled (PAFOD)
- Disabled Peoples` International (DPI)
- Academic institutions
Registrations
NPO Number: 000 - 315
Section 18A tax exemption
VAT Registration No. 444/014/376/8 (VAT exempted)
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