Easter Seals Iowa Assistive Technology Center (AT) visited South Africa (IA UCEDD)

May 15, 2017

Tracy Keninger, Director of the Easter Seals Iowa Assistive Technology Center (AT) visited South Africa in March to provide consultation relating to implementation of new legislation that is similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act. During her week long stay, she visited several child care centers, residential facilities, and rehabilitation facilities for individuals with disabilities. She also spoke with many organizations, families, and individuals with disabilities regarding current challenges and needs. In response to the overwhelming lack of basic assistive technology to support mobility, activities of daily living, and recreation, Keninger will be returning to South Africa in August with a group of Occupational Therapy students and volunteers to design assistive technology and modify devices from locally available materials and supplies. Additionally, the team will collaborate with Vision of Hope, based in Rustenberg, South Africa, to organize a first of its kind, three day, recreational camp for children and adults with disabilities, along with a fully accessible obstacle course.

The Easter Seals Iowa AT Center is supported by the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology at the Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa's University Center for Excellence on Disabilities.