Prof Theresa Lorenzo

Professor

Qualifications

PG Diploma Higher Education Studies, UCT
PhD in Public Health, UCT.
MSc in Community Disability Studies. University of London.
Higher Diploma for Educators of Adults, WITS.
BSc (Occupational Therapy), WITS.

I am passionate about the economic development of people with disabilities towards disability inclusion. My PhD investigated the opportunities available to disabled women for social and economic development. Through this, I realised that it is important to focus research on youth economic development, and empowerment specifically. Through this we will be able to determine the support disabled youth need as children and looking forward, ascertain the support structures they need as adults with families. I believe shifting focus from the person with a disability to (often poor) development and support structures, in both rural and urban contexts, holds potential to influence policy development and change.

My other research interest is concerned with developing a disability inclusive workforce that will promote disability inclusion and access to schooling, health, social activities, and livelihood opportunities. This involves research and training of community-based workers that is focused on developing their capacity to link disabled people to projects and family and community support systems. Lastly, I am interested in research dissemination that centres training and practice to influence, policy, and curricula rather than vice versa and I am supervising several postgraduate students with this focus.