Intellectual Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) is celebrated annually in March. For 2024, the SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) will be focusing on the theme “I am not my disability – see my ability” to share the capabilities and potential of persons with intellectual disability [ID] through their creativity and skills to fight against stigma.
We believe that showcasing and sharing these stories can shift persistent negative attitudes towards persons with ID and foster more inclusion for them into society.
My diagnosis does not mean I am incapable of learning a new skill and mastering it. It’s time to be recognised for what I can do, not what I am diagnosed with.” – From Indlela Mental Health
In South Africa, approximately four out of every 100 people are affected by some level and form of ID (Western Cape Forum for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 2020). Yet, they are still far too often marginalised regarding education, employment, and everyday community life.
This exclusion is closely linked to the myth that persons with ID are not capable of participating in daily life and activities; however, we know that this is not the case. This year, we will share stories, pictures and videos of persons with ID showcasing their skills, creativity and abilities.
People living with intellectual disability should not be shy to show the world their talents.” – Zintle Sophangisa, a person with ID from Cape Town
Zintle Sophangisa (27) from Cross Roads in Cape Town is a gifted dancer and designer who has performed with celebrities such as Lady Zamar at the Cape Town Festival in 2022. Diagnosed with ID when she was in school, Zintle says she was too shy to share her disability with her family, friends and community because people stigmatise persons with disabilities. “They say they are lazy to learn,” she says. Zintle was forced to leave school and struggled with her mental health because she felt alone and isolated, having a disability. She was also diagnosed with depression but received treatment for it.
Everything changed for Zintle when she joined Cape Mental Health’s Training Workshop Unlimited in September 2023. Being surrounded by adults who understood what she was facing gave Zintle the confidence she needed. Her family has also accepted her disability and has become supportive of her dreams and goals.
Our call to action
SAFMH believes that persons with ID deserve the same access and opportunities to education, skills development and creativity as all South Africans. We call this IDAM so that everyone can engage with the stories featured in this concept document meaningfully and challenge their attitudes to ID.
In celebration of the fact that persons with ID have many abilities, we specifically also call on the Government to ensure they adhere to the National Mental Health Policy Framework 2023-2030, which they state that there will be an intersectoral approach when it comes to the inclusion of persons with ID in general community life, such as access to: education and skills development; income generation opportunities for users, and reasonable accommodation provisions in the workplace (National Mental Health Policy Framework, 2023)
We also call on all organisations working with persons with ID to share stories, photos, and examples of the creative works and activities of persons with ID with whom they work. SAFMH will include it in our campaign throughout March.
Read SAFMH’s IDAM 2024 Concept Note here for more information and stories.
You can see SAFMH’s IDAM 2024 infographic here
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