1993 to 2008

 1993

-Ashley House was purchased and adapted to accommodate quadriplegics.

-Transport in a borrowed Microbus.

-Hospital visits and peer counselling were introduced

-4 Residents

 1994

-Purchased a VW Microbus, and adapted it to carry wheelchair users.

-Ashley House was extended and adjusted to accommodate another resident and a room to hire out as business premises.

-5 Residents

 1995

-2 adjacent plots of land were purchased with a view to expand.

-The purchase of a second VW Microbus saw our transport service extended.

-The double garage was converted into a computer centre.

-Room for hire was adapted to accommodate another quadriplegic.

-6 Residents

 1996

-The computer centre was used to train 24 disabled students – 6 month Dept. of Labour approved courses were delivered by an outside trainer.

-Our “Fun Days” were introduced to offer our members and their families a day out, and a time to meet others in a similar predicament. The first day was held at Hazelmere Dam, and was hugely successful. 3 Fun Days are held at different venues each year.

-7 Residents

 1997

-KZN quads were introduced to Wheelchair Rugby

-A second story was added to the outbuildings to accommodate the planned increase in staff.

-An outside room was upgraded and adapted to accommodate another quadriplegic.

-8 Residents

 1998

-Plans were passed, funds raised, and building started on the first phase of Ashley Village.

 1999

-The first phase of two double cottages was completed with paving, retaining walls, and a secure perimeter wall – Ashley Village is born.

-11 Residents

 2000

-Our original VW Microbus was stolen.

-A Peugeot midi bus was purchased and adapted to replace the stolen microbus, and to see to the increased transport needs.

 -A Caregiver Training program was started in response to an increase in requests for trained helpers within the community.

A new laundry………..

and a new regional office.

2001

A year of catching up, with some service and resource planning…………….

2002

-A Sprinter Midi bus was donated and adapted to cope with the increased demand for our transport. Transport for our mobility-impaired members was introduced as one of the Associations’ service projects.

2003

-An outside room was upgraded and adapted to accommodate another quadriplegic.

-The National Road Safety project is adopted in KZN as a regional project – Buckle up, we DON’T want new members!

-The Association was also heavily involved with the Services SETA pilot Venture Creation learnership for 54 persons with mobility impairments in KZN. Graduation was in July 2004, when we witnessed some huge steps towards financial independence for the 54 learners.

 -Another Sprinter Midi bus was purchased and adapted to cope with the increased demand for our transport, as well as to expand our outreach and visitation programs.

-Plans were drawn, funds raised, and the contractor appointed to build three more single cottages at Ashley Village – to start January 2004.

-12 Residents

2004

Ashley Village – final Cottage Phase

A wet start………..

But progressing well ……..

…….. looking good for April finish.

…………and completed bang on time!

2005

-With some extensions that increased capacity to fourteen residents.

-House next door has been purchased and adapted for expanded accommodation, a new Regional Office, and a Library/Resource Centre.

-Increased to fifteen residents, and a fully equipped room for respite and short-term bridging between hospital and community.

Disabled Driver Training

-Hand controls

-Dual brake control

-Automatic

-Fully sponsored

Rural development

-The Association appointed a Provincial Development Coordinator on the 1^st July 2004 in an effort to expand a meaningful service to the peri-urban and rural areas of KZN. Support groups have already been established in outlying areas, and they are being capacitated to handle counselling and equipment advice queries.

-We believe that our rural development program is essential to the successful development and survival of persons with mobility impairments in KZN. There is no “catchment” that can successfully lead a newly discharged SCI through the rigors of social reintroduction. These support groups will help towards independence for many SCI’s in Rural KZN.

-The support groups will also be expanded and developed through our Rural Capacity Building Program (see 2008).

2006

Momentum Capacity Building Workshop

-A 2-day capacity building workshop was held at Ashley Village, and was attended by 22 disabled persons – 12 of whom from our rural support groups.

-Attendees were taken through Strategic Planning, Self-help centre management, Know your rights, transformation, and basic employment issues.

-This was a huge success, and has been instrumental in the decision to develop a six-week capacity building course planned for 2008 to 2012.

-The workshop was facilitated by QASA, and funded by Momentum.

Resource Centre and Library

-A place where persons with physical disabilities can read up on, or try out the latest equipment and assistive devices, browse the Internet, search for training and job opportunities, develop and print CV’s, copy, fax, bind, receive peer and family counselling and advice, etc.

2007

A year from Hell – we really struggled to keep our projects alive, and we all aged ten years, but we will get them in 2008!!!!

2008

After coming very close to closure in the first half of the year, we were able to revive and rebuild our projects with some generous funding and some additional fundraising efforts.

 Fundraising & other Partnerships

Events & Initiatives

-A very successful breakfast was hosted at the Elangeni, with Ian MacIntosh and Jake White imparting some valuable insights into the realms of International and World Cup rugby. A similar event will be held annually as part of our sustainability goals.

-We are investigating initiatives that include Digital Imaging and Filing services, and CCTV monitoring and training.

-At this stage we feel the CCTV and Training business offers a zero risk option that can be grown to sustain the village on a long-term basis. We have been offered a partnership with a major equipment supplier and an experienced accredited trainer. Capital funding is needed however, to set up our part of the business (secure control room).

-A sponsored Golf Day was hosted by Andrew Wood Properties, and some much needed funding came our way, and kept the wheels turning.

Wheel clamping & Parking Disks

We have partnered Traffic Policing Associates, who are engaging some of the Shopping Centres to police their parking areas. We benefit from the full proceeds collected from clamping in bays designated for disabled disk holders.

We are also issuing parking disks to qualifying persons, and this is generating a small revenue.

Accessible Shuttle Service

-“Budget Chauffer Services” have adapted a vehicle with a lift and wheelchair ties, and have partnered with the Association in an effort to offer safe, accessible transport to local and visiting wheelchair users. We applaud this initiative, and look forward to other enterprises taking up the challenge of providing accessible transport – the largest stumbling block to equitable employment opportunities facing wheelchair users.

-The vehicle is currently based at Durban International Airport.

Health & Leisure

-A few of our members responded to an invitation from CURAMUS to attend their annual fly-fishing competition at Nottingham Road. A great chance for networking; many friends were made; and a good time was had by all. Thanks CURAMUS, we look forward to 2009 at Durban Harbour.

Giving back

-Although times were tough for us, we managed (with sponsorship) to give a little to some kids from Mariannhill District – what a truly moving experience.

WHERE TO IN 2009 / 2010?

New Self Help Centre

A number of interested quadriplegics and paraplegics, who need serviced accommodation, have been identified in the Empangeni, Harding, and Pietermaritzburg areas. Ashley Village has developed into one of the most successful Self-Help Centres in the country, and we feel we now have the experience to plan and build KZN’s second self-help facility - Empangeni is giving us the hottest signals at present.

We aim to complete all the research, stakeholder identification, planning, and funding, as well as sustainability planning before charging into this.

Expanded Transport

We are under huge pressure to expand our accessible (and aging) transport in and around the Ethekwini area. Mobility impaired persons are at a massive disadvantage when it comes to basic, reliable, and safe transport.

We see our provision as a “drop in the ocean” – but every drop counts.

We are currently involved in the Ethekwini Transport Authority “Disabled Transport Forum”, where we are called on to guide and advise on future accessible transport requirements.

Provincial Development

Our goal is to continue to establish support groups in all the Districts, as well as at all rural hospitals. These groups, once trained and capacitated, will form the “catchment” network and support needed for our Mobile Rehabilitation program, and newly discharged SCI’s.

Supply and loans of Specialised Equipment

We aim to increase our stocks of specialised equipment for loan. This includes air mattresses, cushions, etc.

Capacity Building Program

-Building character and independence through basic life skills and leadership development (see Capacity Building under Project Summary section).

Ashley Village Project

A full maintenance and security upgrade is desperately needed at the village. At present there are up to 17 quadriplegics and paraplegics living without any security, some structural repairs are overdue, buildings are in need of paint, and some safety and access issues need addressing.

We also need to implement and secure the ongoing sustainability of this project – caregiver salaries, garden maintenance salaries, utility costs, and groceries, can only be seen as essential project costs – without them Ashley Village closes its doors.

Sustainability Initiatives

The following initiatives have been introduced to assist with ongoing regional project sustainability :-

Chatterbox Call Centre

The Call Centre is running with a stable contract, and a few smaller contracts. Net income from this income project is currently around R12 000 per annum, but this is way under our expectations and needs some innovative tweaking before playing a major part in our income requirements.

Durban MiniTown

MiniTown on the Durban beachfront is owned (not the land) by the Association, and has been the source of a steady monthly income that added R18 000 to our annual income last year. Ethekwini Council is keen to see this tourist attraction upgraded and improved to host mini UShaka, Moses Madiba Stadium, King Shaka Trade Port, etc. Business is slowing down dramatically, and it is a good time to investigate the feasibility of alternate options.

“Back to Work” Project

The Association recently entered into a Partnership with Scribante Labour Consultants to place persons with disabilities back into mainstream employment. The Association reaps a double benefit – seeing a real increase in the equity ratio for disabled, and a monetary spin-off for each placement initiated through the Association.

Security & Tracking

We have entered into talks with a group that specialises in training personnel for security monitoring. It is proposed to establish a training facility at Ashley Village that can both train and remotely monitor businesses, warehousing, heavy vehicles, etc. We hope to get this going as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, funding continues to be a constant source of anxious and uncomfortable times, and further income generation projects need to be established if we have any chance of ongoing sustainability and development in the years ahead.

General Fundraising

A number of fundraising events are run on an ongoing basis. These include; Corporate golf days, corporate speaker functions, pigeon racing, ad hoc venue hire for club meetings, small event evenings, etc.

Assistive Device Project

Parking Policing

We have partnered Traffic Policing Associates, and established agreements with some of the larger shopping centres in KZN to police disabled parking bays. Proceeds from fines are allocated to assistive device initiatives in the area of each shopping centre (funds collected from an area are spent in that area). We aim to expand this to all public parking venues in the Metro areas.

** 2009 and beyond **

A real challenge to continue growing to make a significant difference to the lives of those we have committed to serve.

We are truly proud of our development growth since 1993, but remain forever grateful to all who have chosen to partner our dreams over the years.