DEAFSA
Introduction to DEAFSA
DeafSA, formerly known as the South African National Council for the Deaf (SANCD), was founded in 1929. and in 1995 the SANCD was transformed to a new democratically elected organization, Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) Ten years ago this national organization changed from an organization for the Deaf to one of the Deaf. The change in the constitution and attitude also meant that decisions about the services and affairs of the Deaf people were no longer taken by hearing people on behalf of deaf people, but by Deaf people themselves. At present 80% of the National Executive Committee of DeafSA are Deaf.
It is the intention of DeafSA to conduct itself according to the official vision of the organization and to adhere to its official Mission Statement which is clearly stipulated that DeafSA is to promote the interests of the Deaf and the hard of hearing effectively on a national level in South Africa. DeafSAs national constitution and activities are aimed at all people who are affected by hearing loss and speech impairment.
DeafSA is also the coordinating, umbrella organization that facilities services to the South African Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. DeafSA currently has nine (9) Deaf Provincial Federations (DPFs) throughout South Africa which are recognized as NPOs each with their own constituency. The Deaf Federations in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape has long benefit from the financial support from the National office. Other means of support are extended to the rest of the Deaf Provincial Federations.
DEAFSA Governance Structure
The composition of the Quadrennial National Congress comprises a total of 39 representatives, viz:
- Twenty seven Congressional members three members from each of the nine DPFs of South Africa.
- Three National representatives for SA Deaf Youth
- Three National representatives for SA Deaf Women
- Three National representatives for SA Deaf Sport
- Three National representatives for SA Deaf Blind
Organisation Profile
Vision
Fully functional Deaf community with equality in society, empowered to utilize opportunities in order to create high quality of life
Description
The Deaf Federation of South Africa is the national research, information and community action organization of the 600 000 South Africans who are culturally and linguistically Deaf.
Revenues
| Federal government grant | 40% |
| Fundraising | 40% |
| Consultations/marketing | 10% |
| Miscellaneous | 5% |
| Investments | 5% |
Staff/volunteers
| Full-time staff | 71 |
| Directors | 7 |
| Committees/Experts | 4 |
| Representatives | 39 |
| Office volunteers | 5 |
Membership
| Deaf federation Eastern Cape | 11 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Free State | 10 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Gauteng | 26 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Kwa-Zulu Natal | 12 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Mpumalanga | 12 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Northern Cape | 2 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Limpopo | 12 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Northwest | 7 Affiliated Members |
| Deaf federation Western Cape | 27 Affiliated Members |
| South African Deaf Sport Federation | |
| Deaf-Blind South Africa | |
| Deaf Youth | |
| Deaf Women |
Projects
Recently completed
- Deaf Youth Camp
- Deaf Women Camp
- SASL Policy Implementation Confrence
- Deaf Voter Education
- Translation of the DeafSA constitution in SASL - This initiative was taken that the DeafSA constitution can be accessible to all the Deaf South African in order to empower everyone to participate if changes needs to be made and to under
Currently in Negotiation
- Financial Training in the Provinces
- South African Sign Language as an official Language.
- Human Rights Training in all provinces and all provinces to be trained on the UN Convention on persons with Disabilities as soon as it rectified by the South African government
- SASL Instructor Training
DEAFSA's Activities
DeafSAs commitment as set in its Constitution.
DeafSA identified four key areas for policy decisions to be made which are based on the needs of Deaf people to have equal opportunities and to become fully developed individuals on equal footing with the rest of the community, i.e. hearing people:
| Four Focus areas as set in the Constitution of DeafSA | The following objectives form the basis towards which all DeafSAs activities are geared before the next Quadrennial meeting |
|---|---|
| South Africa Sign Language and Interpreting services |
- To proactively facilitate and successfully lobby for the acceptance, recognition of SASL as the 12th official language. - To proactively facilitate and successfully lobby for the acceptance, recognition, development and utilisation of Deaf culture |
| Education and Training | - To pro-actively facilitate and successfully lobby for the acceptance, recognition, development, utilisation and resources for SASL to be used as the medium of instruction of Deaf learners |
| Provincial Development |
- To lobby all public - and private sector structures, organisations, institutions, at national, provincial and local levels, in order to formulate and implement the policies that ensure that Deaf people at local, provincial and national levels have equal and universal access to all public- and private sector services - Continue the strengthening of management, leadership and staff capacity of DeafSA at both national and provincial levels - To continue appropriate development programmes and service infrastructure aimed at addressing the needs of Deaf youth, Deaf women, Deaf children and parents of Deaf persons in all the nine provinces,. - To continue implementing a plan for effective information flow |
| Early identification and intervention |
- To develop and implement strategies for the identification of Deaf people and intervention thereof to relevant role-players to make informed decisions on the individuals language acquisition and education - To implement a formal social auxiliary work training programme for Deaf learners and delivery of informal training, coordinating and implementing of life-skills and AIDS/HIV programmes |
DeafSA successfully participated in the training of Deaf people in Democracy Development and Voter Education Programme before the local elections. The Training on voter education was focused on the Deaf Community, with emphasis on Deaf Youth, Deaf Women in rural areas and the marginalised Deaf Community.
Early intervention and identification
- The DILP (Deaf Independent living Project) project in Mpumalanga is now receiving subsidy from the Department of Social Development. This project identified and registered 564 Deaf people in remote areas of the province.
- Business plans were submitted and approved by the Northern Cape Department of Social Development in order to establish early identification services in the Northern Cape.
World Deaf Leadership Training
This project was successfully completed and was aimed to promote and coordinate Leaderships skills amongst Deaf people in South Africa and management of capacity development with an emphasis on strategic leadership planning and financial management.- To raise awareness, increase knowledge and promote attitudes and practices that contribute to improved leadership skills
- To empower individuals, groups and communities to reduce or overcome barriers to leadership skills through
- Broadening access to information, practices and care for specific populations
- Developing and enhancing coalitions and partnerships
- Promoting leadership in the public
Equality Campaign
DeafSA made a submission on the Impact of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Equality Act) and participated actively in the public hearings and DeafSA made a submission on the following areas- Access to information
- Education
- Employment
Establishment of Youth and Woman movement
DeafSA established structures for the Women and Youth in South Africa from all the 9 provinces in a National Workshop were the respective constituencies- Re Drafted their constitution
- Formulated a strategic plan
- Elected office bearers