SERVICES & PROJECTS

SERVICES & PROJECTS 

An Education Fund provides funding for quadriplegics who want to study or develop skills and is available via regional application and adjudicated by the executive management. The Fund was started in 1999 with a budget of R20 000.00 
A Budget has been approved for 2002/2003 of R70 000.00 and it is aimed at increasing this when funding is secured to cater for the need.

A Sports Fund is established to promote sporting and hobby activities for quadriplegics. This is applied for by individuals or sports clubs and is adjudicated by the full management. The Fund was started in 1999.

QASA Publications
The Association compiles information on Spinal Cord Injury and quadriplegia issues and publishes this for distribution to members, health professionals and Govt. partners.
QASA has produced 3 Manuals.

"QUADNEWS" newsletter was published and distributed to all members, rehabilitation centres, hospitals and disability agencies. The newsletter has distributed 59 editions. 
We have superseded this newsletter this year with "Rolling Inspiration" magazine - a glossy magazine aiming at all persons with mobility impairments and is described as "a lifestyle magazine for persons with mobility impairments" 

An International Relationship Project, which focuses on establishing alliances with other similar organisations around the world. Funding for QASA services should be derived from these relationships.
In March 2000, a delegation from QASA attended Rehab 2000 in Dubai and established relationships with many people in the rehabilitation field.
In November 2000, Chairperson Ari Seirlis and Herman Willemse (QASA management) met Christopher Reeve in New York and established a relationship with his Foundation to secure funding for QASA.

An Annual Art Exhibition is organized to promote any artworks of quadriplegics and revolves between regions. Durban hosted the 2000 Exhibition and the 2001 exhibition was held in Pretoria. 
The Exhibition in Durban was held at the Durban Hilton and His Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelethini officially opened the Exhibition.

A National Fundraising Campaign 
The National fundraising campaign of the Association is SUPERCAP DAY for the QUAD SQUAD and will raise funds for development and capital projects only. Our partners: Pick 'n Pay carry the campaign for us in their stores and this runs for a month during March. The brand and trademarks are registered in the Association's name and this campaign is in it's 3rd year.
Christopher Reeve supports QASA in this campaign by lending his profile to market the campaign and has featured in our TV and radio adverts.

Strategic Plan / Programme
The Association has launched and is implementing on a 3 year "results" based Programme called "Rolling our Vision and Success for Quadriplegics".
It employs the skills of quadriplegics to drive the 8 goals selected which will make the Association a meaningful part of quadriplegics in S.A. The Programme has measuring tools for gauging success and has a separate budget from which it has to be implemented from. All quadriplegics were consulted in the research for the Programme and this will now be the backbone of the Association's services and focus. The Programme was launched in September 2001 and the results will be measured in 2004.

QASA has a 13% share in a Rehabilitation Centre called AURORA Hospital in Port Elizabeth, which provides rehabilitation at the highest level for spinal injured and other mobility impairments.
The Centre was opened in April 1999 and is managed by a Management company in partnership with QASA. QASA has a Director status and the Eastern Cape Region services the counselling needs of spinal injured. The aim of the project is to provide good rehabilitation aswell as generate funding from the profits. A system is in place to cater for special cases where the spinal injured has no medical aid.

Prevention of Spinal Cord Injury Programme
The Association has launched its first Prevention programme in partnership with the Minister of Transport and ARRIVE ALIVE. Quadriplegics are employed to man "jumping castles" at selected "Ultra City/One Stop" service stations along the National Roads during the holiday peak traffic period.
Children are encouraged to use the jumping castle and take back to their parents a card explaining SCI and how road accidents cause Spinal Cord Injury. This project has the backing of the Minister of Transport and is a great PR excersise for the Association.

Future Services 
Strategic Planning sessions have identified the need for:
· A Care Attendant Training programme.
· Financial Assistance for quadriplegics with care attendants.
· A Recruitment and Placement facility.
· Training and Support manual for those with Spinal Cord Injury and their family/care attendants.
· The supply and distribution of specialised Mobility & Communication equipment & Assistive Devices for quadriplegics.
· Establish more Self Help Centres.
· HIV & AIDS awareness literature specifically for quadriplegics and care attendants.
· A Skills Development Centre with accommodation.
· Capacity building workshops for quadriplegics.

Strategy and Implementation Summary 
QASA aims to establish relationships with business and government to highlight the special needs that quadriplegics have, special abilities that quadriplegics display and the aims of the association. 

These relationships will aim to promote employment opportunities, accessible transport, access to the environment, improved rehabilitation, better mobility equipment and an accessible communication system (i.e. voice activated software, e-mail, assistive devices etc.)

QASA remains committed to negotiating policy formulation, and equal rights for quadriplegics. This includes access into buildings, into the environment, access to information & skills training, and representation at the highest level of Government and Business.