Work Update

This week I learned a great deal despite a mid-week snafu. 

On Tuesday, I returned to the UCT Disability Unit. I asked permission of my interviewee to quote her on my blog. She told me  to go ahead and print what I wanted. Thus, I will not write about Reanette Popplestone in a cryptic manner as I did last time. Mrs. Popplestone is the director of the Disability Unit at University of Cape Town. She, herself is blind. I am so grateful for how generous she has been with her time and  answers. Her insight is so valuable. This week, she explained universities are actually equipped well to assist people with disabilities (I saw this for myself when I took the UCT van that transports people with disabilities Mrs. Popplestone) . The issue is that other entities are not. There is not a education or transportation system that accommodates people with physical or sensory disabilities. Thus, the foundation to help someone with disabilities reach higher education  does not exists despite the ability of the universities to accommodate . Furthermore, most employers do not have the will to put in the proper ramps. "A business would rather hire someone with a missing finger than in a wheelchair or who is blind," she said.  I could go on an on about my visit with Mrs. Popplestone so I will end there for now and come back to the subject sometime. 

On Wednesday, I met with someone from an organization that assists people with disabilities to find jobs and then a doctor at a special school for people with disabilities. That evening, however, I started feeling stomach pains, which was the start of one of those silly one day stomach viruses. I had to cancel and reschedule some meetings on Thursday and Friday morning that I was really excited for like a focus group with parents that a director of disability  advocacy organization was meeting with and said I could crash. The good news is that most people were understanding and willing to let me reschedule. I did lose some time making phone calls to set up appointment, but I have a list of numbers and will tackle in the morning! 

On Friday, I met with two NGOs, which were both successes.I have been asking the same questions at every meeting. It is so interesting to see connections and then also the outliers. I can say with certainty that one of the lead reasons that people with disabilities struggle to find employment is mobility and transportation, which is important feedback due to the nature of Nicky's Drive. 

I have two exciting post coming up. One about going to the rugby Junior World Championships (Wooo South Africa won! I have some great pictures) and another about going to the Jewish Museum. Must go to bed as I have an 8:13 train to Stellanbosch where I have meeting  with some people at the University. 

- Feldman