A social history of the experiences of Africans with physical disabilities who were associated with the Cripple Care Association (renamed the Association for the Physically Challenged) in KwaZulu-Natal, 1970s to 2000s.

Abstract

This thesis provides an analysis of the social experiences of people with disabilities who belonged to the Cripple Care Association (CCA), which was later, renamed the Association for the Physically Challenged (APC). The experiences of people living with disabilities during apartheid and post-apartheid are different from one person to another. During apartheid race, class and gender influenced the lives of people with disabilities in what would become the province of KwaZulu-Natal especially in accessing resources. During the apartheid period, the state played a limited role in assisting and caring for the needs of people with impairments in South Africa. This compelled families to take an active role in caring for the needs of such persons. After 1994, the democratic government in South Africa produced a variety of policies for the betterment of people living with disabilities. This research also considers the experiences of people with disabilities who have lived in the post-apartheid period and looks at whether the lives of people with physical impairments has changed for the better.