Free State

About The APD Free State

The Association for Persons with Disabilities Free State has been in existence from 1939.

The Organization was originally called Cripple Care Society and had changed to the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities Free State.

In 1996 the name changed to the Association for Persons with Disabilities and the DEAF – Free State. During 2006 the name changed to the current name.
The APD Free State delivers services mainly to persons with physical disabilities and multiple disabilities.

Jean Webber Home is a unique residential empowerment facility for persons with severe physical disabilities. This facility provides a home for 37 people who need physical support for most essential activities of daily living.

The demographics of the residents do not only cover Mangaung but the entire Free State Province. We strongly depend on donations and the goodwill to meet our budget.

One of the exciting new ways to generate an income is the opening of our Goodwill Store where the public can donate items and everybody can buy a bargain. We firmly believe that the best way to survive is to invest in sustainable projects like this. 

APD Free State Objectives

Our Mission

APD Free State is an organization of and for persons with disabilities. We exist to:

• Empower persons with disabilities by developing their potential and lobbying for equal opportunities
• Promote and maintain the integration of persons with disabilities in the mainstream of society
• Raise awareness on the prevention of disability, as well as on the potential, capabilities, challenges and needs of persons with disabilities
• Provide a wide range of services to persons with disabilities living in the Free State Province

APD Free State Programs

Kopano Workshop

APD Free State has a skills development and placement program which focuses on the needs of persons with disabilities in the workplace. Kopano Protective Workshop has a new manager and new product lines and ABET are part of the planning.

The Kopano Protective Workshop enables persons with disabilities to generate an income by the production of articles for marketing to the public. It empowers them to become more independent. We currently have 63 participants in the workshop, operating in different groups.

The goals of the Association for Persons with Disabilities are also to empower the participants by training and development through:

• Skills Development
• Quality of life
• Prospects of work
• Ensure productivity
• Encourage self-employment

Accessible transport: An accessible transport program is provided to clients to assist in the integration process. The APD Free State provide transport options for their clients so this makes it possible for people with disabilities to reach their workplace. Some of the Jean Webber residents are currently involved in the training and development plan of the Mustang Rugby Club.

Children with disabilities: Another focus area of APD Free Sate is children and youth with disabilities, parental support and active learning opportunities. The Emelia Children’s Centre is doing well with community members supporting the center.

Assistive devices: APD Free State supplies assistive devices to our clients and do wheelchair repairs. There is a great need for wheelchairs, mobility aids and incontinence products.

Girlchild: Girls with disabilities are assisted in career opportunities and choices. Our staff member also acts as a mentor to them and do group work on relevant topics.

Advocacy: This program includes prevention, awareness, marketing and sensitization of the needs of persons with disabilities. We promote transformation, development, effectiveness and efficiency of social services regarding persons with disabilities.

Emilia Day Care Centre

Emilia Day Care Centre The organization now has 20 children attending our day care Centre, with a long waiting list of children who want to be part of this center. The organization still strives to render the following quality services:

• Providing professional rehabilitation services to the children
• Acquire professional services to all children and youth in the Centre with disabilities
• Enhancing the life standard of children with disabilities
• Community based – therefore more reachable for persons with disabilities living in the rural area’s
• Better social interaction between children with disabilities
• Support group for children and youth with disabilities as well as families of children with disabilities
• Training of volunteers
• Enhancing the standard of education for children and youth with disabilities through the Active Learning programme.

Goodwill Shop

When APD opened the doors of this little jewel, no one expected that it would be more than a charity shop where one can buy second hand items at a bargain.

Very soon this shop becomes the buzz of APD Free State, where friends meet. Not only is the Goodwill Coffee shop serving some of the best coffee in Bloemfontein, but also finger licking good chicken pies.

The involvement of the community is still awesome and people know where to drop unwanted items.

One of the spin offs of the Goodwill shop that nobody foreseen, is the joy that our Jean Webber residents get out of their visits to the shop. They are part of our regular customers and enjoy the opportunity to do their own shopping.

With this project we have a secure monthly income which can be used for much needed items like groceries and medical equipment.

The future of this project is still in the hands of the community and we encourage you to support us by donating unwanted items as well as to visit us for coffee and a very special shopping experience.

At this stage we are planning to expand the coffee shop, to put more variety on the menu and services we can render to the community and also to the public.

Oelsen Workshop

The Oelsen Workshop in Welkom has recently been upgraded and is in partnership with the Rand Mutual Assurance that has opened a rehabilitation hospital next to the workshop.

Oelsen Workshop is also now running a successful take away shop and goodwill shop.

Job creation projects such as the “Gatvel” project and wheelchair repairs are also on track again. 

APDEC Events

The Eastern Cape Provincial Council for Persons with Disabilities (APDEC) is a not for profit organization affiliated constitutionally to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).

APDEC was established in December 2007 and registered with the Department Social Development as an NPO on 11th August 2008.

APDEC’s area of operation stretches over 168 000 square kilometers and is divided into seven districts and two metropoles. We are currently represented in Amathole, Buffalo City, Saartjie Baartman, Nelson Mandela Bay (including Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch) and Mthatha districts, but still need to establish a footprint in the Chris Hani, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Ukhahlamba districts.

According to the 2011 census, there are approximately 478 000 persons with disabilities living in the Eastern Cape.