nicole kotras masters thesis

of disabled people increases slowly between the ages of 0 to 34 years (from 1.3% of all
those aged 0-4 years to 4.4% of those age 30-34 years). After 35 years of age the
proportion of disabled people begins to rise more readily (Central Statistics Service, 1996,
1997).
Figure 2
Percentage of the population with a disability
physical
26%
mental
8%
multiple
6%
hearing or speech
13%
The South African situation is further complicated by the fact that the various groups
are further subdivided into many cultural groups and each group speaks a different language
or dialect, as depicted in figure 3 (Central Statistical Service, 1996). Furthermore, by virtue
of South Africa's past political system, the socio-cultural and educational system for each
group, has been developed independently from each other. Conversely, all population
groups are expected to compete in a Western, industrially developing society.
Consequently, the cultural and educational discrepancies existing between the various
population groups, may compound the problem of constructing a single developmental
evaluation measure for all South African children.
visual disability
47%
6