As April is international Autism Acceptance Month, the local organisation, The Centre of Grace Foundation, will host its first ever Walk for Autism this coming Saturday in Jeffreys Bay.
The public is invited to join the 1km beach walk, which will take place on Saturday, April 22, at 09:00. The walk will commence at Supertubes Beach in Pepper Street, and end at The Green Garden in Tecoma Street. Registration closes on Friday, April 21, at 17:00 and costs R50.
The Jeffreys Bay Walk for Autism is part of an ongoing campaign by the foundation to advance the rights of autistic children through access to neuro-affirming healthcare, education, and support services.
“Each autistic child is unique and their interaction with the world is different to other autistic children. Unfortunately, many autistic children go undiagnosed and many face huge social and environmental barriers to exercise their basic rights. The Jeffreys Bay Walk for Autism seeks to promote the rights of autistic children through enabling access to healthcare, education, and support services,” says Toyer Jappie, co-founder and principal of The Centre of Grace Foundation.
The Centre of Grace Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2020, after Toyer and Kaylene Jappie’s daughter, Grace, was identified as being autistic. After Grace was assessed they realised that there were few services for autistic children and their families in South Africa, and no services in the Kouga region.
Toyer and Kaylene learnt that autistic individuals are very often subject to stigma, discrimination and human rights violations including unjust deprivation of health care, education and opportunities to engage and participate in their communities and society. The Centre of Grace Foundation was established in direct response to these challenges experienced by autistic children, their families and communities.
At the Centre of Grace Foundation, the abilities and gifts of every autistic child are dignified, and their neuro-diversity accepted, appreciated and celebrated. This supports and enhances their mission and purpose to provide equitable access to health, education, support services and care for autistic children and their families, offering services like their awareness programme, training, a collaborative research programme and family support, and an assessment clinic as well as education and support services for children.
- To register for the Jeffreys Bay Walk for Autism, or for more information about this organisation, contact them on 071 240 1292.
