1. Equitable Rehabilitation: Closing the Quality and Access Gap

Focus Area Purpose 

To reduce inequalities in access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology by providing underserved individuals with mobility solutions that meet private-sector standards, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.

Strategic Objective

Bridge the gap between public and private rehabilitation services by increasing access to high-quality assistive devices for individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Projects

• Pilot Project: Increasing quality and access to assistive devices in underserved rural communities of Umtata.
• Pilot Project: Closing the Quality Gap in Prosthetic Technologies for Underserved Disabled Communities.
• Inclusive cross-subsidisation business model to increase sustainable access and quality for underserved communities.

 

Outcomes

• Pilot project 1: 98 amputees from underserved communities were supplied with quality devices
• Pilot project 2: 72 prosthetic devices were upgraded from public to private standard
• 5200 patients have been empowered since 2017 both economic and social side.

 

 

Strategic Partners

• Walter Sisulu University (Hosting project)
• Australian Aid (Funder)
• Ludada and Associates Orthopaedic Services (Industry Experts)

 

 

 

 

2. Green Rehabilitation: Sustainable Assistive Solutions

Focus Area Purpose
To promote environmentally responsible rehabilitation by integrating sustainable manufacturing, responsible resource management, and circular-economy principles into the design, production, delivery, and disposal of assistive devices.

Strategic Objective
Reduce the environmental footprint of rehabilitation services while improving access to affordable, sustainable, and high-quality assistive technology.

Projects Delivered 

• Pilot Project: Feasibility of Manufacturing an eco-friendly prosthetic leg for underserved.
• Circularity: Circularity in Prosthetics and Orthotics (CIPOTECH) Waste Management NPO

Outcomes 

• Prototype: Eco-friendly prosthetic leg
• Clinica trial: 12 months usage of eco-friendly prosthetic
• Discovered an Assistive Device Waste Management NPO Company CIPOTECH
• Prosthetic waste as input for new prosthetic device (cost efficacy)

 

Potential Strategic Partners

• CIPOTECH: Assistive Device Waste Management Company NPO
• Rand Mutual Assurance: Funder and Customer

             

 

 

3. Research and Innovation: Advancing Rehabilitation Solutions

Focus Area Purpose
To drive innovation, research, and evidence-based practice that improve the quality, affordability, accessibility, and effectiveness of rehabilitation services and assistive technologies for people living with disabilities.

Strategic Objective
Advance rehabilitation outcomes through research, product development, clinical innovation, and the commercialization of new technologies that address unmet needs in the rehabilitation sector.

Projects

• Product Development: PFFD Prosthesis.
• Product Development: Clean Technology

Potential Strategic Partners

• Walter Sisulu University (School)
• Propella (Incubator)
• National Clean Tech Innovation (Competition)

4. Training and Education: Building Human Resource Capacity

Focus Area Purpose
To strengthen the rehabilitation workforce and empower individuals with disabilities through education, skills development, mentorship, and professional training that improve service delivery and create sustainable opportunities for employment and inclusion.

Strategic Objective
Address human resource shortages and capacity gaps in the rehabilitation sector by supporting professionals, students, and layman with necessary training and education. To promote better healthcare service and employability.

Training Projects 

a. Student Experiential Learning and Internship program

b. In job Skills Training for layman (disabled people)

c. Accredited Continuous Professional Development Training.

Impact 

• Increased workplace readiness and employability of rehabilitation graduates.
• Improved employability and access to income-generating opportunities for disabled people.
• Increased professional competence and adoption of best practices.
• Improved quality and consistency of rehabilitation services.

Potential Strategic Partners

• Tshwane University of Technology
• Walter Sisulu University
• Rand Mutual Assurance