ABOUT US
Vision
Our Vision at Nksoianthi Foundation is to have empowered and independent blind and partially sighted people fully integrated into society.
Mission
Our Mission is to provide a supportive, opportunity filled and comprehensive rehabilitation model to raise awareness which enables blind and partially sighted people to reach independence, develop their potential and overcome the challenges associated with loss of vision.
Aims
- To create impactful awareness about the rights and needs of blind and partially sighted persons, as well as to create useful and wide spread prevention awareness.
- To provide a support structure to blind and partially people, their families and relevant service providers.
- To provide a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, which addresses the changing needs and assists to overcome the challenges associated with significant loss of sight.
Objectives
- Raising awareness of eye care conditions and the importance of early intervention and prevention of blindness.
- Raising awareness of resources available to blind and partially sighted people, which serve to prevent dependance.
- Raising awareness concerning the dignity, needs and abilities of blind and partially sighted persons.
- Developing partnerships with other national and international service providers and interest groups.
- Offering membership with Nkosinathi Foundation.
- Maintaining existing funding opportunities, as well as finding new ones through submitting project proposals.
- To provide individual, family and group emotional support.
- To provide Orientation and Mobility Training
- To provide Adapted Daily Living Skills Training
- To provide Braille Literacy Training
- To provide Low Vision Assessments and Low Vision Training
- To employ Readiness and Computer Training
- Early Childhood Development Programme
- Social, Educational and Recreational Programmes for Adults and Children
- Community based Fieldworkers Programme
- To provide all services with respect, integrity and professionalism in a caring and accountable manner.
OUR HISTORY
Originally, the assistance was given by ‘experienced’ blind people, who first taught one another and then began sharing their knowledge and experience with newly blinded children, their parents, as well as newly blinded adults and their families. The group of experienced volunteers sought out help, and later to help others, after wanting to be able to have the same working opportunities as persons who are fully sighted.
Since 1948 the Foundation has consistinley grown to become the biggest service provider to Blind and Partially Sighted People in the Eastern Cape.
To view a more in-depth version of our organisations interesting history, as well as the highlights for our organisations since its establishment, please refer to the Nkosinathi Foundation History Pamphlet.
ANNUAL REPORT
Please email fundraiser@nkosinathifoundation.org if you would like to view our previous years Annual Reports.
USEFUL TERMINOLOGY
Below are the definitions of terms that are used when training and discussing visual impairments, blindness and rehabilitation.
Orientation and Mobility(O&M)
Orientation is the ability to use the remaining senses after loss of sight to know where one is positioned in an environment at any given time.
Mobility is the ability to move safely, effectively and efficiently from one place to another.
Some techniques included in this are, Pre-Cane Skills, White Cane Skills and travelling with a guide dog.
Pre-Cane Skills
Pre-Cane Skills are safe methods that are taught to blind and partially sighted people in order for them to be able to travel through an environment without the use of an aid, such as a white cane or guide dog. Two skills that are taught are trailing and protective techniques.
Low Vision
Low Vision is a broad term for persons who have some type if usable vision which is not fully correctable with standard eye glasses ad who experience difficulty with preforming some visual tasks. Some visual difficulties include, problems with depth perception and light adaption.Some factors that influence vision are, lighting, colours and contrast.
Adapted Daily Living Skills
This is teaching blind and partially sighted persons everyday skills that allow them to care for themselves and function independently.
Some examples include, money identification, clothing identification as well as liquid pouring and measuring.
DOWNLOADS
