The Disability Catalyst Africa (DCA) series is a research initiative that promotes disability inclusion, social justice and evidence-based policy and practice across Africa. Through collaborative research, the programme addresses key challenges affecting disabled people, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, while advocating for more inclusive communities, education systems and health services.

The series explores practical solutions to improve participation, wellbeing and equal opportunities for disabled people and their families through research, partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Disability Inclusion in Higher Education

The Disability Inclusion in Research to Enhance Curriculum Transformation (DIRECT) project explores how disability is represented within higher education teaching, learning and research.

Using document analysis and interviews with academic staff at the University of Cape Town, the project examined how disability is incorporated into curricula and research practices.

Grounded in principles of human rights and social justice, the project aligns with the University's strategic commitment to addressing South Africa's developmental challenges while preparing graduates to become engaged global citizens.

Disability Catalyst Africa Series

• Series 1: Intentions, Pillars and Players
• Series 2: Marrying Community Development and Rehabilitation: Reality or Aspiration for Disabled People
• Series 3: Youth, Disability and Rural Communities: Facing the Challenges of Change
• Series 4: Beyond "If" to "How": Disability Inclusion in Higher Education
• Series 5: Monitoring Disability Inclusion and Social Change

Understanding the social context of disability is essential to creating more inclusive societies. This research programme examines the barriers that prevent disabled people from participating fully in education, employment, family and community life, while identifying practical strategies to overcome these challenges.

The programme focuses on three key research areas:

• Housing and support options for adults with intellectual disabilities
• Disabled Youth in Rural Areas (DYRA)
• Disability Inclusion in Higher Education

Research findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, policy briefs and publications within the Disability Catalyst Africa series. 

• Series 6: Implementing Inclusive Population Health for Youth

Most people labelled as having an intellectual disability live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They remain among the most marginalised members of society, facing higher levels of poverty, social exclusion and poor health outcomes. Because formal support services are often limited or unavailable, families—particularly mothers—frequently become the primary caregivers.

Negative attitudes and stigma surrounding intellectual disability have historically contributed to the exclusion of these individuals from community life and government priorities. Disability Catalyst Africa 6 highlights the urgent need for inclusive health systems and population health approaches that recognise the rights, dignity and wellbeing of young people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

This research recognises that the support needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and their families are often unmet within South African communities.

Initial studies examined residential facilities for adults with intellectual disabilities in the Western Cape and found that these services benefit only a small proportion of families. Subsequent qualitative research explored the lived experiences and support needs of individuals and their families.

Building on these findings, together with reviews of international evidence and South African policy, the project now works alongside families and service providers to identify practical, sustainable and community-based support options.

Key Publications

• McKenzie JA, McConkey R, Adnams CM. (2013). Health conditions and support needs of persons living in residential facilities for adults with intellectual disability in the Western Cape Province. South African Medical Journal, 103(7), 481–484.
• McKenzie JA, McConkey R, Adnams CM. (2013). Intellectual disability in Africa: Implications for research and service development. Disability and Rehabilitation, 35(20), 1750–1755.
• McKenzie JA, McConkey R, Adnams CM. (2014). Residential facilities for adults with intellectual disability in a developing country: A case study from South Africa. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 39(1), 45–54.

The Disabled Youth in Rural Areas (DYRA) project builds on research initiated in 2007 through collaboration between six South African universities and community organisations involved in undergraduate service-learning placements.

The broader Disabled Youth Enabling Sustainable Livelihoods (DYESL) study investigates how disabled young people develop and sustain their livelihoods in rural communities.

Cross-sectional research was conducted in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, comparing the experiences of disabled and non-disabled young people aged 18–35 years.

The findings highlighted that although poverty affects all young people, disabled youth experience additional barriers, including:

• Limited financial resources
• Inaccessible transport
• Restricted access to education and training
• Inadequate family and community support

These barriers significantly affect employment opportunities, education, health and overall quality of life.

Publications

• Disabled Youth in Rural Areas: A Profile of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province
• Place in the Classroom: Barriers to Education Faced by Disabled Youth
• Working for Change: Barriers to Employment for South Africa's Disabled Youth
• Disabled Youth in Rural Areas: A Profile of South Africa's Northern Cape Province