National Program Epilepsy South Africa
The National Office has four main focal areas, namely:
Governance & Representation
Through this programme we ensure good governance and quality service delivery within the organisation. We also ensure that Epilepsy South Africa is well represented and recognised nationally and internationally.
Fund Development & marketing
Through implementing this programme the organisation strives to ensure the continued financial sustanability of our service delivery. We implement a national fund development and marketing strategy and we rely on the generous donations from donors and funders to ensure continued programme implementation. We also host fundraising events on an annual basis such as a unique "Charity wine auction", "Music Festivals with the Jo Ellis Band" and many more too look out for.
We are priviledged to enjoy the continued support of celebrities with epilepsy and launch numerous media awareness campaigns with the assistance of Tomcat advertising agency. Awareness about the condition is crucial to lay the foundation to ask for support in the form of financial as well as social contribution.
Social Development
There are several programmes within the National Social Development Programme, namely:
National Child and Youth Development Programme
With this programme we aim to reach children with epilepsy to ensure that they will develop into healthy and well adapted adults who are fully included in mainstream society.National Advocacy Programme
With this programme we aim to empower people with epilepsy to stand up and speak out about their rights to inclusion, acceptance and full participation.Branch Support Programme
The National Social Development Manager provides assessment, training and support to the social development departments and staff within the Branches of Epilepsy South Africa, to ensure quality and progressive service delivery.National Information Management Programme
Through this programme the organisation strives to obtain accurate statistice about our consumers and we further strive to ensure the development and distribution of applicable and accurate information about epilepsy.Under-Serviced Provinces Outreach Programme
The National Office is responsible for the development and implementation of direct service delivery for people with epilepsy and other disabilities in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape. Our services currently include awareness and training about epilepsy and we work in partnership with existing NGO’s and CBO’s in these provinces to ensure continued service delivery.National Epilepsy Week programme
Epilepsy South Africa celebrates National Epilepsy Week annually with National Epilepsy Day being 21 June each year. This day being winter soltice, (longest night and shortest day) we strive to take epilepsy out of the shadows of misconception into the light of understanding and acceptance.
Economic Development
- The Proudly South African campaign:
This programme focuses on participation in activities of the campaign. Epilepsy South Africa was a finalist in the prestigious Proudly South African HomeGrown Awards in the Nation Builder of the Year category.
- Networking:
The expansion of the Epilepsy SA economic development network in both the private and public sectors ensures access to up-to-date information and allows new opportunities to be identified. This network also forms the basis of memoranda of understanding/ agreement for improved service delivery.
- Preferential procurement:
This programme aims to build capacity through skills training regarding preferential procurement. It also aims to promote organisational sustainability through preferential procurement, thereby creating further employment for people with epilepsy and other disabilities. The National Office reviews available tenders on a weekly basis and provides information regarding potential tenders to Branches.
- Branch support:
This programme aims to provide support and training to the economic development initiatives of Branches. As such the National Economic Development Manager regularly visits Branches to review development, identify needs and provide the required support.
- Workshop Transformation Programme:
This Programme addresses the empowerment of people with disabilities working within protective workshops. Recent achievements include:
- The transformation of the economic development model at the Free State & North West Branch from a protective workshop to a cooperative model resulting in the involvement of the National Development Agency (NDA), the Department of Agriculture and the North West Government;
-Implementation of a developmental approach to economic development through the separation of stimulation centres and protective employment;
- Enhancement of human resources management and development through a rights-based approach;
- Improvement of operational systems and procedures, including occupational health and safety, product development and production management.
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- Income generation projects:
It is estimated that only about 1% of people with disabilities currently enjoy employment. The high rate of unemployment in the disability sector is further underlined by the poor performance achieved by both the public and private sectors in terms of employment equity. These factors clearly indicate that employment in the second economy offers a real solution to the unemployment crisis facing people with disabilities. It must further be understood that people with epilepsy suffer far more stigmatisation and discrimination (especially in terms of employment) than people with physical or sensory disabilities. This programme aims to build capacity (knowledge and skills) within Epilepsy South Africa for the establishment and development of income generation projects in the second economy. The first Training of Trainers seminar was successfully hosted in Gauteng in January 2007 and a second seminar in Cape Town in October 2007. This programme will soon achieve accreditation in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
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- Entrepreneurial development:
Both national and international research studies in recent years have identified the value of entrepreneurial development in the disability sector as a solution to the high unemployment figures. Thus, this programme will assist in breaking down the current dependency on disability grants evident in the sector through job creation. Epilepsy SA utilises the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Programme of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The National Office regularly hosts training of trainers seminars nationally, thereby building capacity at the provincial and local levels.
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In addition to training activities, the organisation produces a monthly entrepreneurial development newsletter.
- A rights based approach to the employment of people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities:
This Programme aims to sensitize decision-makers within the organisation, as well as staff members of Epilepsy SA. Thus, the programme is focused on the establishment of a specific philosophy within the organisation in order to ensure a new approach to sourcing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The long-term results of this programme will be a focus on the abilities of and opportunities for people with disabilities rather than the limitations. The success of the programme will be measured in the expansion of employment opportunities for people with epilepsy beyond protective employment to include open labour market placement (including supported employment), income generation projects and entrepreneurial development.
In the 2009/2010 financial year, the programme will focus specifically on assisting national Government Departments and structures to achieve employment equity in terms of disability targets. This will be achieved through disability sensitisation workshop held at selected government departments.
- Skills development programme:
Through this programme we do not only empower the employees of Epilepsy South Africa, but also our clients and volunteers. Epilepsy South Africa is one of the front runners in respect of skills development and we implement a detailed national skills development programme annually. We also have fully developed national and branch skills development committees.
The organisation recently developed an epilepsy Employee Assistance Programme for the Services SETA and concluded an agreement with Cambridge University Press for the publication of training material.