About Us

Inclusive Education Western Cape is a registered NPO that has, since 1995, been committed to promoting and supporting positive models of inclusive education in schools, preschools and other centres of learning in the Western Cape province.

Our mission is to ensure that families, educators and service-providers of children with disabilities have access to information, and are introduced to support networks and services that can facilitate inclusion into ordinary neighbourhood schools. This involves:

  • Challenging and changing attitudes towards inclusion in education..
  • Understanding inclusive education policy and its implications for the classroom setting.
  • Helping educators to deal with their fears, and sensitizing them to inclusion practices.
  • Informing educators and parents of support structures and resources.

    • We are committed to:

  • Working collaboratively with other organisations with similar aims and training objectives.
  • Working with all role-players within the education system - ECD practitioners, teachers in all phases of schooling, parents and related professionals such as therapists, school administrators, learning support teachers and district support staff.
  • Responding to expressed need and, where possible, targeting socially and geographically disadvantaged areas.

    • Our History

  • 1995 Founded by parents and NGOs working in the disability and ECD sectors, in order to explore and promote opportunities for the inclusion of children with learning or other disabilities in mainstream education.
  • 1997 Members contributed to the work of the National Commission on Special Needs in Education & Training, whose findings informed Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education & Training System (2001).
  • 2000 Opened Special Needs Resource Centre with seed-funding from Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, in order to provide support and outreach to parents, teachers and others via its information, advocacy and training programmes. Database, helpline & library established.
  • 2001 Appointed a Training Co-ordinator
  • 2002 - Present Involved in a number of projects and campaigns to increase awareness, conduct in-service teacher training for the Western Cape Education Department, and develop good inclusion practices.

    • Our Staff

    The organisation is overseen by an elected Management Committee. Our office and project team are:

  • Manager - Robyn Bath
  • Office Administrator - Marjorie Carew
  • Senior Training Facilitator - Laetitia Brummer
  • Client Support Liaison - Caroline Taylor

    • We also have a number of contract Training Facilitators which we engage on an ad-hoc project basis.

    Our Services

    Resource Centre

    Our Resource Centre, based at our offices in Cape Town, offers information and advice about inclusive practice in general and provides support for parents, educators and other professionals working with learners with all types of special needs. Our library consists of a wealth of resources in the form of articles, books, DVDs / Videos, Manuals, academic and government papers and more, covering a vast range of topics under the Inclusive Education umbrella. More information on our resource centre »

    Client Support

    The staff at IEWC's Resource Centre continue to respond to a wide range of enquiries from parents, teachers, and other professionals regarding educational placement, special needs or support services.

    We connect parents and professionals with others who have overcome similar challenges, or with organisations and people who may assist them further.

    At times, more in-depth or long-term support is needed in the form of accompaniment or mediation on behalf of a parent or family and their child. Dedicated funding would allow us to extend this service, especially to low-income families.

    Contact us regarding any queries you may have.

    Inclusion Advocacy & Awareness

    IEWC disseminates information and creates awareness through various local and national print and broadcasting media..

    Through our newsletter, open meetings, conferences presentations and exhibitions, we share our experiences of best practice and provide practical ways through which inclusion can be made possible..

    We are committed to creating awareness and advocating for the rights of children with disabilities.

    Training & Workshops

    IEWC offers training on various aspects of inclusive education e.g. adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of learners, assessing barriers to learning and classroom interventions etc. Get more information on training and workshops.

    Training can be tailored to your specific needs.

    Contact Us

    Tel +27 (0)21 674 1422
    Fax +27 (0)21 683 6379
    Email Marjorie Carew info@included.org.za
    Postal Address PO Box 36330
    Glosderry
    7702
    Physical Address 1st Floor
    Scoblin House (Morkels Building)
    66 Main Road
    Claremont Cape Town
    Directions & Map
    View Larger Map

    Donors.

    IEWC's projects are funded by specific donors. In addition, IEWC as an organisation is funded by the National Lottery Development Trust Fund (NLDTF). Visit the National Lotteries Board website to find out about other projects supported by the NLDTF.

    Tel: +27 (0)21-674-1422   •   Email: info@included.org.za   •