History of P.A.D.I

A Brief History of Padi

PADI – People for Awareness on Disability Issues, is an Non-Profit Organization of and for people with disabilities whose main objective is to educate and create awareness on matters relating to Disability.

PADI was established in Johannesburg in 1987 as a result of a survey conducted by a social work student, seconded to Radio 702, a local talk radio station, to research the needs of Persons with Disabilities in the community.

In 1990 an initiative was started in Bushbuck Ridge, a rural community in the Mpumalanga Province. A Team of four Facilitators, all of whom are persons with Disabilities, are presenting Seminars to Schools, Hospitals and Clinics in their area. Due to the success of these initiatives a new branch was established in Pietermaritzburg – Kwa- Zulu Natal in 2006.

Since its inception, PADI has conducted “Experiential Learning Seminars” on Disability in various sectors of the community for ± 5 million participant’s ranging from School learners to airlines, corporations and the medical fraternity.

All our facilitators have been trained to present our programmes and are dedicated to doing this with enthusiasm and professionalism therefore they are able to pass on their skills to others with disabilities demonstrating that they too can become leaders within their own communities.

PADI has designed Seminars for Educators and has conducted programmes with Departments of Education at Johannesburg and Potchefstroom university and for the National Department of Education. In-Service Training is provided for all PADI Facilitators.

People for Awareness on Disability Issues (PADI) is run by a committee of five people.  Our Director has played an active part in the Disability field for the past 59 years.

People for Awareness on Disability Issues (PADI) is unique in its approach. We aim to empower those we reach thus providing them with independence rather than making them dependent on others.

PADI is a stepping-stone, as many of our Facilitators have been reintegrated into the corporate world, once they have realised their potential, have gained skills and above all the courage and belief in themselves that “anything is possible”.

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