MEET THE DISABILITY-20 RESEARCHER: Dr. Sivalingum “Siva” Moodley

From Classroom to Global Advocacy: A Journey of Inclusive Excellence

Dr. Sivalingum “Siva” Moodley is a pioneering educator, researcher, and advocate for inclusive education with over four decades of experience transforming the lives of persons with disabilities in South Africa. As an accomplished academic, published author, and policy architect, Dr. Moodley has dedicated his career to breaking down barriers and creating pathways of opportunity for individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Despite facing discrimination early in his teaching career due to his own visual impairment, Dr. Moodley channelled his experiences into a lifelong mission to advance inclusive education systems. He spent 20 years at Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind in Durban, where he taught English and history while serving as Head of the English Department. Following this, he became Director of the Adult Training College for the Blind in Pretoria, expanding his impact to adult learners and vocational training.

In 2004, Dr. Moodley joined the University of South Africa (UNISA), where he served as Director of the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) and Chairperson of the UNISA Employees Disability Forum. His visionary leadership helped establish UNISA as a national leader in disability inclusion within higher education. Even after retiring in 2014, UNISA appointed him as Lead Researcher in the Department of Inclusive Education, a position reflecting the continued demand for his expertise.

Academic and Professional Milestones

Dr. Moodley holds a Doctor of Education in Special Needs Education from UNISA, a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Education. He achieved distinctions in English and Teaching Practice in his University Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Durban-Westville. He earned a Diploma in Special Education cum laude from UNISA.

His scholarly contributions have been recognised through multiple awards. In 2006, he received the UNISA Chairperson’s Council Award for consistent research output and university participation. In 2010, ESKOM recognised his groundbreaking work in developing a framework for the recruitment and training of employees with disabilities. His expertise is evident in his extensive presentations at national and international conferences on inclusive education, teaching strategies for students with disabilities, and human rights frameworks.

Policy Development and National Leadership

Dr. Moodley has played significant roles on committees that have shaped South Africa’s approach to inclusive education and disability rights. He served on the National Standards Body of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Standards Generating Body on Inclusive Education, helping establish education and training standards that have become foundational to how South African institutions approach accessibility.

He developed a comprehensive policy guideline document on inclusive education for the Department of Education, which has guided the implementation of inclusive education across schools nationwide. In 2018, he served on the panel reviewing the Policy on social development services for persons with disabilities. As Director of ARCSWiD, he oversaw the establishment of 23 multi-purpose centres across UNISA campuses and championed the Centre of Excellence in Disability at UNISA, which serves as a world-class research entity advancing policy-relevant research for the independence and full participation of persons with disabilities.

Author and Literary Contributions

Dr. Moodley is an accomplished author with nine published books. He has written four English language textbooks, which were used in schools across South Africa, as well as five novels. His most recent work, “A Passion for Success” (2022), is part autobiography and part celebration of achievement, sharing inspiring success stories of alumni from the Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind.

The book demonstrates how individuals with visual impairments have overcome obstacles to achieve excellence, serving as a beacon of hope that challenges societal perceptions about disability.

Link with NCPD and the Disability-20 Initiative

Dr. Moodley is currently contracted by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) as part of the Disability-20 research team. As a fellow researcher, he develops research documents, position papers, and policy recommendations that inform South Africa’s engagement with the G20 through the Disability-20 platform. He makes presentations at workstream engagements, contributing expertise on inclusive education, accessibility in higher education, and the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.

His involvement in the Disability-20 represents a natural extension of his life’s work, enabling him to influence global conversations about disability inclusion, education policy, and sustainable development. Through his research and presentations, Dr. Moodley ensures that the voices and experiences of South African persons with disabilities are heard in international forums that shape global policy.

Dr. Moodley’s Focus Areas in the Disability-20

Within the Disability-20 research team, Dr. Moodley focuses on critical intersections between disability rights, education, and economic transformation. Drawing on his extensive experience, he contributes to research on strengthening inclusive education systems across G20 countries, including accessibility standards, teacher training for inclusive pedagogy, the integration of assistive technology, and policies that support learners with disabilities from early childhood through lifelong learning.

His pioneering work at UNISA provides valuable insights into making higher education accessible to students with disabilities. Dr. Moodley’s research best practices for student support services, accommodations in assessment, accessible learning materials, and institutional frameworks that promote full participation. His work in developing frameworks for workplace inclusion, such as the ESKOM-recognised recruitment and training framework, informs Disability-20 research on skills development pathways, vocational training, workplace accommodations, and policies that facilitate the transition from education to employment.

Dr. Moodley’s experience in policy development enables him to contribute to research on aligning education and employment policies across G20 countries with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, helping identify policy gaps, share best practices, and develop practical recommendations.

The Importance of the Disability-20 Platform

The Disability-20’s outstanding achievement is demonstrating that persons with disabilities are experts in their fields. While navigating daily barriers imposed by exclusionary societies, they bring irreplaceable knowledge to discussions on education, employment, and sustainable development. Dr. Moodley exemplifies this expertise, combining academic credentials, policy experience, and lived experience to inform effective solutions.

The Disability-20 engages persons with disabilities in identifying policy gaps through participatory consultations, increases representation across G20 working groups, and produces position papers and recommendations that inform C20 and G20 policy outputs. Despite progress, disability issues have been weakly integrated into the C20’s final policy packs and the G20’s communiqué. The Disability-20 initiative presents a crucial opportunity to ensure that persons with disabilities are at the centre of the G20’s vision of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.