Neurodiversity and the law in South Africa
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This is about the book being written by Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi, Out Vice Chancellor and Principal. Neurodiversity is new in our society. While the law may be clear about disability, neurodivergent individuals usually go undetected and therefore excluded. Creating awareness about provisions of the law for neurodiverse youth and their inclusion into education and employment is critical in the era of the complex job market and high rates of unemployment. The right to education for the neurodivergent learners needs to be interrogated closely. The law must ensure equal access and success of learners with neurodiversity and their career transition through education into the world of work. This is in alignment with the love of education and the law personified in the celebration of our iconic leader and father of the nation, Tata Nelson Mandela.
Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi is challenging institutions of higher education on how they could include young people with neurodiversity in their programmes. Law must provide for inclusion of neurodivergent to fully participate and transition from education to the world of work in South Africa. Research must unearth talent from neurodivergent youth for them to contribute to a truly inclusive society. Parents should be supported by law, not excluded when fighting for the rights of their adult children, who may be discriminated against because they look normal. The Mpedi Family Scholarship is filling the knowledge gap and has set the tone for others to follow suit. We are thankful to the Mpedi family for their generosity and foresight.
The Centre would like to express heartfelt gratitude also to Fundi Foundation for their generosity in providing scholarships to five master’s students in support of the Mpedi Family Scholarship. The Fundi Foundation "Know more. Be More." guiding ethos dovetails with the Mpedi Family Scholarship drive for research in neurodiversity and neuroinclusion. The Centre appreciates the Faculty of Education Executive Dean Prof. Nedine Petersen for her unfailing support in the drive to create awareness about neurodiversity. We are also indebted to our Head of Department Prof. Veronica Dwarika for her sterling leadership and support. The Centre Coordinating Committee is very central to providing direction for the centre and we are deeply grateful. We are proud of our Post Doctoral fellow, Doctor Nettie Ndou-Chikwena for her research in the centre and enhancing the stakeholder base.
Embarking on the neurodiversity and law project is critical for promoting and upholding the rights of the neurodiverse communities. It is important to establish links to all legal frameworks to enhance true inclusion of neurodiverse communities. Social service provisions, education and the labour market must be reviewed for neuroinclusion.
By
Prof. Maximus Monaheng Sefotho
Department of Educational Psychology
Chair of the Mpedi Family Scholarship in Neurodiversity Studies.
Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi is challenging institutions of higher education on how they could include young people with neurodiversity in their programmes. Law must provide for inclusion of neurodivergent to fully participate and transition from education to the world of work in South Africa. Research must unearth talent from neurodivergent youth for them to contribute to a truly inclusive society. Parents should be supported by law, not excluded when fighting for the rights of their adult children, who may be discriminated against because they look normal. The Mpedi Family Scholarship is filling the knowledge gap and has set the tone for others to follow suit. We are thankful to the Mpedi family for their generosity and foresight.
The Centre would like to express heartfelt gratitude also to Fundi Foundation for their generosity in providing scholarships to five master’s students in support of the Mpedi Family Scholarship. The Fundi Foundation "Know more. Be More." guiding ethos dovetails with the Mpedi Family Scholarship drive for research in neurodiversity and neuroinclusion. The Centre appreciates the Faculty of Education Executive Dean Prof. Nedine Petersen for her unfailing support in the drive to create awareness about neurodiversity. We are also indebted to our Head of Department Prof. Veronica Dwarika for her sterling leadership and support. The Centre Coordinating Committee is very central to providing direction for the centre and we are deeply grateful. We are proud of our Post Doctoral fellow, Doctor Nettie Ndou-Chikwena for her research in the centre and enhancing the stakeholder base.
Embarking on the neurodiversity and law project is critical for promoting and upholding the rights of the neurodiverse communities. It is important to establish links to all legal frameworks to enhance true inclusion of neurodiverse communities. Social service provisions, education and the labour market must be reviewed for neuroinclusion.
By
Prof. Maximus Monaheng Sefotho
Department of Educational Psychology
Chair of the Mpedi Family Scholarship in Neurodiversity Studies.
