WELCOME TO THE
KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society
“The Society provides services mostly to African people, generally poor, unemployed and living in rural areas. The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936 to provide services to improve the quality of life of Blind and Partially-Sighted people. The Society empowers Blind, Partially-Sighted, Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind persons to take their rightful place in society. The Society promotes South African Sign Language which is helping to break down communication barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people on a daily basis.”




ABOUT US
The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936
The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936, their purpose, providing services and opportunities that ultimately improve the quality of life of Blind and Partially-Sighted people. During the 1960s we extended our services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
The Society currently reaches the poor, unemployed African people living in rural areas who do not have the finances or ability to receive services. The greatest challenge that the Society faces, is how to improve these unfortunate individuals quality of life. The sad situation is that these almost forgotten people are not only deprived, but also disabled, which leaves them feeling very inadequate and incapable, and the sad fact is that most of them receive no external assistance


Vision Statement
To be the premier provider of services and opportunities that ultimately improve the quality of life of Blind, Deaf, Deafblind persons.
Mission Statement
Our Mission statement is to ensure that all Blind, Partially-Sighted, Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind people are integrated into the community, as members who contribute and benefit from society alongside their able-bodied counterparts who do not have these disabilities.
Authur Blaxall School For The Blind
The school was established in 1954, and is currently situated in Pietermaritzburg, educating Partially Sighted and Blind learners.
V N Naik School For The Deaf
Established in 1983, the school is located in Inanda (Outer Durban), educating Hard of Hearing and Deaf learners and hosting children in the school’s boarding establishment.
Our Services
Professional Social Work Services
Deafblind/Multi Disabled Services
Independence Training Services
Education and Training
Computer Literacy Training
Optometric, Low Vision & Audiology
Sport and Development
South African Sign Language
Early childhood development (ECD)
KZNBDS Academy of Learning
Job Placement
Braille literacy
Advocacy
Sheltered workshops
Hydroponics
READ MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICESMaking a difference
Support Us
Should you wish to make a cash donation towards any of our projects, simply pay by EFT, or deposit directly into our Bank Account.

KZN Blind and Deaf Society 85th Anniversary Edition Book
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KwaZulu-Natal Blind & Deaf Society
Campaigns

Talk Sign

Eye Can Walk

Blind Navigators Rally


Want to Talk To Us?
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WELCOME TO THE
KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society
"The Society provides services mostly to African people, generally poor, unemployed and living in rural areas. The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936 to provide services to improve the quality of life of Blind and Partially-Sighted people. The Society empowers Blind, Partially-Sighted, Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind persons to take their rightful place in society. The Society promotes South African Sign Language which is helping to break down communication barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing people on a daily basis."
SIGN LANGUAGE AS A HUMAN RIGHT
The 10th of March is Talk Sign Day. Talk Sign campaign was initiated in 2013 by the KZN Blind and Deaf Society, a Society which has been at the forefront of rendering quality services to blind and deaf people in KZN for nearly 9 decades. This year’s Talk Sign campaign will be commemorated under the theme “Lets Unite and Sign”. Over the years the campaign has raised awareness about deafness and South African Sign Language (SASL), the dos and don’ts dos when interacting with deaf people, the rights of the deaf, etc. It has also helped to raise money for the much-needed services the Society renders (by selling stickers).
This year’s Talk Sign campaign is a historic one in South Africa because it is being celebrated for the first time after Government gave recognition to the SASL as the country’s 12th official language. This is a great achievement because it recognizes sign language as official medium of communication, which addresses the marginalisation the Deaf has been experiencing. This historic Constitutional Court landmark decision also makes sign language more accessible to those with hearing conditions and to those without.
The Court’s decision is in line with Article 21 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – to freedom of expression and opinion and access to information. South Africa is signatory to the Convention. According to the article, State parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice, including by, among others, accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille, augmentative[1] and alternative communication, and all other accessible means, modes and formats of communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions.
Sign language, like spoken language, is a language in its own right. It is a medium of communication that enables the Deaf community to communicate with each other as equal members of society.
The recognition and acknowledgement of deaf people’s access to sign language means respecting their access to public services and other opportunities they are entitled to on equal bases with those without hearing conditions. This gives the Deaf access to information and expression when they approach public institutions such as a police station, the courts, health care facilities, information on media outlets (e.g., Tv). This has a ripple effect in turn as it gives the Deaf more opportunities to the enjoyment and attainment of socio-economic, cultural, recreational and political rights as enshrined in numerous local and international instruments. More access to education and information means more access to better opportunities in life.
It is worth noting that it is only when everyone’s rights are upheld that their full potential is realised and used to the fullest extent. When the playing field is levelled everyone has equal opportunities. This helps people to become active and productive citizens by reducing their dependence on others.
[1] example: gestures, eye gaze, vocalizations, sign language and facial expressions

As we celebrate Human Rights month in South Africa, KZN Blind & Deaf Society, encourages all hearing South Africans to learn sign language. Join our next class starting Saturday 25 March. For more information, please contact socialwork1@bdskzn.org.za
ABOUT US
The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936
The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society was established in 1936, their purpose, providing services and opportunities that ultimately improve the quality of life of Blind and Partially-Sighted people. During the 1960s we extended our services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
The Society currently reaches the poor, unemployed African people living in rural areas who do not have the finances or ability to receive services. The greatest challenge that the Society faces, is how to improve these unfortunate individuals quality of life. The sad situation is that these almost forgotten people are not only deprived, but also disabled, which leaves them feeling very inadequate and incapable, and the sad fact is that most of them receive no external assistance


Vision Statement
To be the premier provider of services and opportunities that ultimately improve the quality of life of Blind, Deaf, Deafblind persons.
Mission Statement
Our Mission statement is to ensure that all Blind, Partially-Sighted, Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind people are integrated into the community, as members who contribute and benefit from society alongside their able-bodied counterparts who do not have these disabilities.
Authur Blaxall School For The Blind
The school was established in 1954, and is currently situated in Pietermaritzburg, educating Partially Sighted and Blind learners.
V N Naik School For The Deaf
Established in 1983, the school is located in Inanda (Outer Durban), educating Hard of Hearing and Deaf learners and hosting children in the school’s boarding establishment.
Our Services
Professional Social Work Services
Deafblind/Multi Disabled Services
Independence Training Services
Education and Training
Computer Literacy Training
Optometric, Low Vision & Audiology
Sport and Development
South African Sign Language
Early childhood development (ECD)
KZNBDS Academy of Learning
Job Placement
Braille literacy
Advocacy
Sheltered workshops
Hydroponics
Making a difference
Support Us
Should you wish to make a cash donation towards any of our projects, simply pay by EFT, or deposit directly into our Bank Account.

KZN Blind and Deaf Society 85th Anniversary Edition Book
Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.