“Is hearing loss affecting your freedom to live life to the fullest?”

The Road to Independence is a proud project of the   NCPD

Meet the Road to Independence founders, Fanie du Toit, from NCPD, and the late Francis Slabber

Fanie du Toit

Fanie du Toit

Fanie is an Adult Education Practitioner and for more than two decades, presenter of the programme, “Leefwêreld van die Gestremde” on RSG, as well as on many Community Radio Stations in SA. He is the senior specialist in hearing impairment & deaf affairs at the National Council of & for Persons with Disabilities.

Francis Slabber

Francis Slabber

Francis qualified her as a Speech & Language Therapist and Audiologist in 1992 at the University of Pretroia. Although dually qualified, she soon realized that audiology was where her heart and passion was. She relocated to Cape Town in 1999 when she started working at The Hearing Clinic. She later became a partner there and eventually owned the practice until her untimely death in November 2021.

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News Articles

Prevalence of hearing loss in SA

What all stake holders in SA should know:

12 million people in South Africa may be affected by hearing loss, as hearing loss affects 20% of the Global Population.

Read more…

The Stigmatism of Hearing Loss

The over-emphasis on the size and discreet positioning of hearing aids may contribute to the stigmatisation of hearing loss.

It is worrying that many people with hearing loss are suffering unnecessarily due to the stigma attached to hearing loss.

Read more…

Access to Primary Health Care Facilities for Persons with Hearing Loss

Here are some guidelines and background information that can be kept in mind by hearing impaired or deaf persons, as well as health professionals at primary healthcare facilities, in times of screening, testing and possible hospitalization…

Read more…

Road To Independence
Road To Independence

1 day ago

October 2024, Breaking Down Barriers: Accessible Public Transportation for South Africans with Hearing DisabilitiesAs South Africa strives for inclusivity, individuals with hearing disabilities face significant challenges in accessing public transportation. Despite ease of boarding, communication hurdles arise when purchasing tickets, finding disembarkation information, and during emergency evacuations.Key Challenges:1. Lack of understanding: Authorities often overlook unique communication needs.2. Inadequate emergency evacuation plans: Visual and tactile alerts are scarce.3. Inaccessible frontline services: Loop systems, text-based communication, and sign language interpretation are often unavailable.4. Insufficient staff training: Personnel lack sensitivity and awareness.Solutions for Inclusive Transportation:1. Consult with organizations and experts in hearing loss.2. Implement accessible communication systems.3. Develop inclusive emergency evacuation plans.4. Provide regular staff training on hearing impairment awareness.Creating a More Inclusive South Africa:Equal access to public transportation is a basic human right. By addressing these gaps, we can:- Enhance independence for individuals with hearing disabilities.- Foster economic growth through increased accessibility.- Promote social inclusion.Join the Movement:Fanie Dreams #faniedreams Share successful implementation examples and strategies.Get Support:Contact Fanie du Toit faniedreams@gmail.comVisit www.faniedreams.co.zawww.ncpd.org.zaNational Council of and for Persons with Disabilities ... See MoreSee Less

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Road To Independence is at 24 Bower Road Wineberg.
Road To Independence

2 days ago

Dear Colleagues, friends & folllowers,I'm excited to announce my new chapter! After 42 years of service at NCPD, I'm now leading the Movement Faniedreams.Continuing my legacy, I'll mentor NCPD's flagship Hearing Loss Matters Division on select days.Faniedreams' Mission:Empowering peers with hearing loss who use speech, speech reading, hearing aids, technology, or alternate methods of communication.Together, we'll:› Raise awareness for reasonable accommodation in homes, faith communities, education, workplaces, and broader society.› Contribute to equal access and opportunities for all individuals with hearing disabilities.Join the movement!Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/dKez22UPVPnzFGXD/?mibextid=qi2OmgWebsite: www.faniedreams.co.zaLike, follow, share, and spread awareness! We're just 70 followers away from reaching 1,000.Let's create a more inclusive future!Best regards,Fanie du Toit WhatsApp-text 082 820 7358faniedreams@gmail.com ... See MoreSee Less

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Road To Independence
Road To Independence

1 day ago

October 2024, Breaking Down Barriers: Accessible Public Transportation for South Africans with Hearing DisabilitiesAs South Africa strives for inclusivity, individuals with hearing disabilities face significant challenges in accessing public transportation. Despite ease of boarding, communication hurdles arise when purchasing tickets, finding disembarkation information, and during emergency evacuations.Key Challenges:1. Lack of understanding: Authorities often overlook unique communication needs.2. Inadequate emergency evacuation plans: Visual and tactile alerts are scarce.3. Inaccessible frontline services: Loop systems, text-based communication, and sign language interpretation are often unavailable.4. Insufficient staff training: Personnel lack sensitivity and awareness.Solutions for Inclusive Transportation:1. Consult with organizations and experts in hearing loss.2. Implement accessible communication systems.3. Develop inclusive emergency evacuation plans.4. Provide regular staff training on hearing impairment awareness.Creating a More Inclusive South Africa:Equal access to public transportation is a basic human right. By addressing these gaps, we can:- Enhance independence for individuals with hearing disabilities.- Foster economic growth through increased accessibility.- Promote social inclusion.Join the Movement:Fanie Dreams #faniedreams Share successful implementation examples and strategies.Get Support:Contact Fanie du Toit faniedreams@gmail.comVisit www.faniedreams.co.zawww.ncpd.org.zaNational Council of and for Persons with Disabilities ... See MoreSee Less

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Road To Independence is at 24 Bower Road Wineberg.
Road To Independence

2 days ago

Dear Colleagues, friends & folllowers,I'm excited to announce my new chapter! After 42 years of service at NCPD, I'm now leading the Movement Faniedreams.Continuing my legacy, I'll mentor NCPD's flagship Hearing Loss Matters Division on select days.Faniedreams' Mission:Empowering peers with hearing loss who use speech, speech reading, hearing aids, technology, or alternate methods of communication.Together, we'll:› Raise awareness for reasonable accommodation in homes, faith communities, education, workplaces, and broader society.› Contribute to equal access and opportunities for all individuals with hearing disabilities.Join the movement!Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/dKez22UPVPnzFGXD/?mibextid=qi2OmgWebsite: www.faniedreams.co.zaLike, follow, share, and spread awareness! We're just 70 followers away from reaching 1,000.Let's create a more inclusive future!Best regards,Fanie du Toit WhatsApp-text 082 820 7358faniedreams@gmail.com ... See MoreSee Less

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Proud Partnerships

Ida Institute and the NCPD

I am so privileged to be part of the “partnership” between Ida Institute South Africa Chapter and National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities This a career highlight after 37 years in the sector of and for Persons with Disabilities. I so wish it could have happened 20 years ago.

Fanie du Toit
Adult Basic Education Practitioner – Unisa 1994

“Free new resources helps people with hearing loss and professionals build trusting, productive partnerships.”

Read the article here. Courtesy of The Ida Institute

 

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