Training & Events

With over 40 programs annually, we equip caregivers and professionals with skills to address challenges and provide exceptional support.

Training Programme: 2026

Disclaimer

Details shared at training sessions or events are for informational purposes only. It remains the responsibility of the user to carefully consider any additional information. This includes considering individual circumstances, relevant law and legal opinion, before making any decisions based on details shared at the WCFID’s training sessions or events. details shared at the WCFID’s

Training Programme for July, August & September 2026

July 2026 

Self-Advocacy - July 2026

SELF-ADVOCACY PROGRAMME: 2026 – 2027. SESSION 2 of 6

  • Tuesday, 28 July 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • WCFID Training Team
  • Molenbeek School, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • This is a no-cost group.

The current Self-Advocacy Group is full. The next the series will begin in May 2027.

Principles Meeting - Flipped

PRINCIPALS MEETING: ALL PRINCIPALS AND SUPERVISORS OF SPECIAL CARE CENTRES / 24-HOUR CARE FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE TO PROFOUND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

  • Thursday, 30 July 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Gail Davids, Director, WCFID and Vanessa Japtha, Advocacy Manager, WCFID
  • ZOOM Online
  • A no cost, members only meeting.

August 2026 

2026 Term 3 - Medical Tax

MEDICAL TAX REFUNDS

  • Tuesday, 4 August 2026
  • 7:15 p.m. (note that this free training takes place in the evening)
  • Stratfin, Medical Tax Experts
  • Online platform to be confirmed
  • No cost training

This webinar will show how families can claim SARS medical tax refunds. You may qualify for costs related to a diagnosed condition. This falls under Section 6B of the Income Tax Act.

To register, please contact our Training Coordinator, Shakira Lakay on: coordinator@wcfid.co.za

2026 Term 3 - Sensory

SENSORY PLAY FOR SPECIAL CARE LEARNERS

  • Wednesday, 5 August 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
  • Moeneeb Gilbert, Programme Manager, Autism Connect Learning Centre
  • To be confirmed
  • Members: R50 per person; Non-members: R120 per person

Come and get a little messy as you experience activities designed to encourage sensory stimulation of children with intellectual disability.

2026 Term 3 - Meaning & Belonging

RETHINKING SUPPORT: THE IMPORTANCE OF MEANING AND BELONGING

  • Wednesday, 12 August 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Iselle van den Heever, Occupational Therapist, previously from Senecio
  • ZOOM Online
  • Members: R50 per person; Non-members: R120 per person

Iselle will discuss ways in which to help create a sense of meaning and belonging in the life of people with intellectual disability.

AAM

IN-PERSON, ALL ABOUT ME FACILITATOR TRAINING: LIFE SKILLS AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

  • Compulsory Online Component: Tuesday, 18 and Tuesday, 22 September 2026
    Time: 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
    Compulsory In-person Component: Tuesday, 25 August and Wednesday, 26 August 2026
    Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Venue: WCFID Training Room, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • Times differ for the online and in-person components
  • WCFID Training Team
  • In-person Component: WCFID Training Room, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • Member: R1000, includes the Training Manual; R1500, includes the Training Manual and CPD points
    MEMBERS ONLY SPECIAL: R3000 for two attendees from one organisation
    This includes a FULL set of visual resources, usually priced at R2380, for FREE
    This offer is limited to one set per organisation
    Non-member: R1200, includes Training Manual; R2000, includes the Training Manual and CPD points

SACE approved for 15 CPTD points. HPCSA and SACSSP CPD points pending. A maximum of 20 attendees

This very practical training will equip special needs educators, social workers, health care professional and care-workers to deliver life skills and sexuality education to children or adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability. The rights-based approach will enable people with intellectual disability to protect themselves from abuse and to feel more confidant about their bodies, sexual development and relationships. The training also focuses on supporting parents and on developing sexuality education policies within organisations.

September 2026 

2026 Term 3 Pic - Recognising Neglect

RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

  • Wednesday, 2 September 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
  • Dr Rochshana Kemp, Social Work Manager, Western Cape Education Department and Forensic Social Worker Lt-Colonel NC Dampies and Investigating Officer Sgt Binase-Sarr
  • Molenbeek School, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • Members: R50 per person; R150 per person with HPCSA CPD or SACSSP CPTD points
    Non-members: R120 per person; R250 person with HPCSA CPD or SACSSP CPTD points
    HPCSA and SACSSP points pending

Members outside of Cape Town who wish to attend virtually may email Shakira Lakay on: coordinator@wcfid.co.za

Apron Project

APRON PROJECT: A TOOL TO ASSIST THOSE WITH BARRIERS TO VERBAL COMMUNICATION

  • Friday, 4 September 2026
  • 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
  • Lindie Penton, Occupational Therapist
  • WCFID Training Room, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • Members: R750 for two people with one complete set of resources
    Non-members: R1000 per person with one complete set of resources

The Apron Project is an alternative communication resource designed for staff at Special Care Centres to assist any child with barriers to verbal communication.

wcfid col logo 2021

WESTERN CAPE FORUM FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

  • Tuesday, 8 September 2026
  • 1:30 p.m. for 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Topic to be confirmed
  • Venue to be confirmed
  • A no cost meeting

Look out for the invitation with details of the presentation topic, presenter and venue closer to the date.

Self-Advocacy - July 2026

SELF-ADVOCACY PROGRAMME: 2026 – 2027. SESSION 3 of 6

  • Tuesday, 15September 2026
  • 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • WCFID Training Team
  • Molenbeek School, Alexandra Hospital, Maitland
  • This is a no-cost group.

The current Self-Advocacy Group is full. The next the series will begin in May 2027.

ADVANCE NOTICE FOR TERM FOUR

ONLINE: ALL BOUT ME – PROVIDING SEXUALITY AND LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TO CHLDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

PART ONE is intended for everyone, including HODs and principals. It provides essential background information on why sexuality education is important for adults and children with intellectual disability, addresses common concerns, summarises the legal framework and focuses on the need for guidelines within organisations. PART ONE (12-25 October 2026) requires at least 6 hours to complete the reading course material.

PART TWO is aimed at educators, health professionals and caregivers working directly with children or adults with intelelctual disability. It provides participants with practical tools, planning bad skills needed to set up and run a sexuality programme, PART TWO (26 October-15 November 2026) requires at least 9 hours to complete the reading and course material.

15 SACE CPTD approved; HPCSA and SACSSP CPD points pending.

For more information and to register in advance please contact Shakira Lakay, Training Coordinator on: coordinator@wcfid.co.za

Do you know that the WCFID offers on-site training? For more information, please contact our Training Coordinator, Shakira Lakay on: coordinator@wcfid.co.za