FREEDOM IN DISABILITY THROUGH GUIDE DOGS

Millions of people living with disabilities in South Africa are unable to live fully independent lives due to their disability. This according to Ane Roux of the South African Guide Dog Association for the Blind.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful for each one of them to be given the opportunity of greater independence? South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s vision is to have a country where every person with visual and physical disabilities can experience freedom and independence,” continued Roux.

In a bid to see this vision come to life, the association is rolling out a campaign over the next four months to highlight the freedom that their four core services provide to people living with visual and physical disabilities. Apart from providing guide dogs for the blind, the association provides service dogs to people with physical disabilities and autism support dogs to children on the autism spectrum, as well as teaching use of a long cane and other daily life skills to people who are visually impaired. The association launched new branding to highlight these services, with a breakfast gathering for clients and stakeholders in Durban North on Thursday, June 30.

“Guide dogs help their owners safely navigate the world around them and lead owners around obstacles that might be in the way so they can find their way to public transport and navigate around places of work. Service dogs assist in opening and closing doors, picking up and fetching out-of-reach items and performing other tasks that their owners may have difficulty doing,” said Roux.

She added that autism support dogs provide comfort to children who have been diagnosed with autism, who may be overwhelmed by their surroundings. The current campaign comprises TV, radio, outdoor and social media communications elements.

Funding

The association operates entirely on fundraising initiatives, sponsorships and donations from the public.

“It costs in excess of R100 000 to train one assistance dog, and it is because of the generosity of the public that the association has around 80–100 dogs in training at any time. The orientation and mobility practitioners are able to reach close to 800 visually impaired people of all ages per annum, most of whom reside in lower income communities,” said Roux.

Apart from a nominal contractual fee of R5, the association provides their services free of charge. To donate to the cause or to see more on the campaign, visit www.guidedog.org.za or email: info@guidedog.org.za.