The Western Cape Department of Social Development has handed over four specially adapted vehicles to non-profit organisations that support children with disabilities, including Sombambisana Community Development Programme, Agape Family Ministries, De Heide Special Day Care Centre, and the Drakenstein Association for Persons with Disabilities.

This comes as thousands of children with disabilities face severe challenges in getting to a care centre without safe and accessible transport, which at times leaves them isolated at home, missing out on care, learning, and the chance to simply be children.

The department says the vehicles are designed with care and dignity in mind, fitted with wheelchair hoists, adapted seatbelts, and space for wheelchairs, making safe travel possible for children with limited mobility.

Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, says the initiative is especially meaningful during Child Protection Month, highlighting the vulnerability of children with disabilities.

“This initiative helps us break down a critical barrier to ensure that children with disabilities can access consistent, essential developmental and protective support systems.”

He further added that the handover brings the total number of vehicles provided since the programme began to 21, with more than R20 million invested in improving access to essential services.