Investigating the lives of children with disabilities in the Qwaqwa region: Implications for service provision in rural context

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that impact on the lives of rural children with disabilities and their families. Seventeen children with disabilities were selected through a process of purposive sampling from three areas in the. Qwaqwa region: Mabolela, Makgalan and Bolata. This was a qualitative study : The research-method was the semi- structured interview. The main caregiver in each of the famiiies was interviewed. The findings in the study indicate that, despite the fact that various pieces of legislation and policy documents in South Africa since 1994 make special reference to the protectiof of the rights of children with disabilities, the rights of the children investigated in this study continue to be violated. The study reveals the urgent need to address barriers to learning ancl development that these children are experiencing; these barriers are located largely  the system.This study has implications for pianning services to address the needs of children with disabilities in this rural context.