HISTORY

Individuals with cerebral palsy in South Africa were historically considered to be physically disabled, and so since its formation in 1939 have received attention from the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (formerly the National Council for the care of Cripples in South Africa).

Little was known about cerebral palsy in South Africa at that time, and in 1942 the National Council set up a special Cerebral Palsy Committee to study the incidence and difficulties experienced with cerebral palsy. This Committee brought to the notice of the Government the high incidence of cerebral palsy, and recommended to the authorities that provision be made for those individuals with cerebral palsy who required care in special institutions, and emphasised the unsuitability of treating these individuals in orthopaedic institutions or in general hospitals.

In 1948 a group of parents of children with cerebral palsy and other interested people formed the Transvaal Association for the Care of Cerebral Palsy (TACCP) in Johannesburg, and established the first centre focusing exclusively on individuals with cerebral palsy. This Centre took the form of a school and was started with 6 pupils under a speech therapist. Assistance was received from the Transvaal Education Department, which made available the premises of the Forest Town Government School. By 1950 this school was operating with an increased staff and 18 pupils.

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