Coega is now taking driver training to new levela and training people with disabilities. This, of course, means that I will be out vigorously defending the right of disabled people to have their parking free at all times. Remember; “No STICKER, No PARK”!
In a first for the Eastern Cape, the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has broadened its driver training programme to include customised training – and driver simulators – for people with disabilities.
The programme was launched today at Coega, but has been in pilot phase for a number of months. The Association for People with Disabilities (APD) welcomed the programme’s advance as indicative of the organisation’s commitment to non-discriminatory development.
“Mobility adds a new dimension to the life of persons with disabilities. Independence to get from A-to-B has been a long forgotten dream for most people with disabilities. Now CDC is helping to make this dream come true,” said Brian Bezuidenhout, head of the APD in Port Elizabeth. “Through this personal independence and employment opportunities become a reality.”
Bezuidenhout said APD was reaching out to the disability sector to ensure the opportunity reaches as many people with disabilities as possible.
“We started by offering the opportunity to relevant candidates within our 120 staff contingent at our headquarters and the APD Day Care Centre in Motherwell,” said Bezuidenhout. “Within the first two months, 11 people obtained their learners license and are now being trained to do the drivers’ license test.
“We are also proud to announce that June Bouah – our auxiliary social – is the first person with a disability within our group to obtain her license to drive a vehicle with hand controls.”
He added that another 18 people will be commencing their learner license training next week.
Today’s official launch of the programme also doubled as a recognitionceremony for those people with disabilities that had successfully completed the training.
Laura Schrieff, APD Recruitment Manager said of her experience of the programme: “Before I started with these classes I felt that the goal of obtaining my drivers’ license would not be possible. I thought I would perhaps get my learners license and that is where it would end. This changed once I started attending the classes. Seeing the enthusiasm of the facilitators wanting to empower me gave me a whole new view of the fact that this will become a reality.
“The Coega driving training programme empowers persons with disabilities as it provides us with a golden opportunity to obtain a drivers’ license. Such opportunities are rare as there certainly aren’t many driving schools that cater for persons with disabilities.”
Schrieff, who recently completed her learners’ license through the Coega driver training also experienced driver simulator training and is currently on route to her drivers’ license.
“I am confident that I will receive it by the end of this year. As a person with a disability I understand the need to feel independent, and through this programme, I am able to gain more of that freedom. It is no longer just a vague dream.
“Sitting in the learners classes, attending the simulator classes and being behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, knowing that one day that goal and dream will be achieved is the chance of a lifetime in the life of a person with a disability.”
The CDC has invested heavily in its driver training programme, with a view to skilling unemployed graduates and youth with driving skills.
“We are trying to assist in breaking the barrier to entry for employment for unemployed graduates, by training future drivers as part of our focus on skills development and corporate social investment,” said Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC spokesman. “This extends to all people in the Eastern Cape, and we are hugely proud to be enabling people with disabilities to also achieve this basic skill which will open doors for them in the employment market.”
Alan Straton
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