About Us

Who are we?

Breede Valley Association for Persons with Disabilities (BVAPD) is a non-profit organization that renders therapeutic, social and community development services to all persons with disabilities in the Breede Valley Municipal area, including the communities of Worcester, Rawsonville, De Doorns and Touws River.

Currently, the 6 strategic focus areas of our organization include good governance, developmental social work services, work & employment, education & childcare, youth development and wellness & awareness.

In 1983, Worcester Cripple Care Association underwent a change of name to the Association for the Physically Disabled (Worcester), and in 2003 became the Worcester Association for persons with Physical Disabilities. In 2005 a decision was made to change the name to the Breede Valley Association for Persons with Disabilities, along with a new logo and branding, which displays our progression from the medical model of assistance to the social model.

Striving towards our organizations’ vision of enabling a disabling society by facilitating and advocating for inclusion and equality for all, various programmes and projects have resulted within the 6 strategic areas as mentioned.

Our History:

Breede Valley APD was established in 1951 when Drs Domisse and Wilson realized the need for after-care for persons with disabilities in our area. Being Rotarians, they encouraged and guided the Rotary Annes to establish a Social Relief Committee in 1951, which at that stage formed part of Cape Cripple Care. Because of the expansion of their work, the name was changed to Worcester Cripple Care Association in 1953.

In 1983, Worcester Cripple Care Association underwent a change of name to the Association for the Physically Disabled (Worcester), and in 2003 became the Worcester Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities. In 2005 a decision was made to change the name to the Breede Valley Association for persons with disabilities, along with a new logo and branding, which displays our progression from the medical model of assistance to the social model.

The organisation, in association with Western Cape Association for Persons with Disabilities, developed and implemented a transformation plan as well as administrative systems and procedures in order to ensure good governance, cost effective, equitable, accessible and accountable service delivery and management of the organization.

Our Team:

FLTR Berneleë Aries – Social Services Administrative Assistant, Jurene Horne – Senior Social Worker: Worcester & Zwelethemba, Anelda Rabie – Social Worker: Work & Employment, Illze Van Reenen – Social Auxiliary Worker, Tamzyn Van Der Heever: Social Worker: Rawsonville, De Doorns & Touws River.

Our diverse programmes provide direct support, care, skills development, employment opportunities and community empowerment to children, youth and adults with disabilities.

Our key services and programmes include:

• Developmental Social Services: Providing support, advocacy, guidance and family assistance to persons with disabilities and their caregivers to improve quality of life and strengthen family resilience.

• Special Care Centres: Four centres in Worcester, Rawsonville, De Doorns and Touws River providing specialised care, development and stimulation services to children with disabilities.

• CommKidz Outreach Programme: Delivering accessible developmental support, training and stimulation to children with disabilities unable to access formal care centres.

• Adult Care & Support Services: Supporting adults with profound intellectual disabilities and vulnerable families through community-based interventions, family preservation and volunteer services.

• Youth Development & Skills Training: Equipping youth with disabilities with practical, marketable skills through programmes such as YouthAbility, the Saam-Staan Skills Project, hospitality training and community-based youth development initiatives.

• Inclusive Skill Training Centres: Creating sustainable training with the possible outcome of work opportunities through disability-led social enterprises including our Laundromat, Waste Management Project, Woodwork Training Unit (YouthAbility), and Hospitality Services Unit (Knippie Liefde).

• Partners4Life Parent Support and Awareness Programme: Empowering caregivers through training, support and shared learning by Community Development Assistants assisted by Community Care Workers.

• Nutrition Alliance (launched 2026): Training persons with disabilities in the processing, packaging and distribution of surplus fresh produce to Early Childhood Development centres across Worcester, while addressing food security, nutrition and skills development.

For over seven decades, BVAPD has evolved from an aftercare initiative into a dynamic organisation delivering inclusive, sustainable and community-driven services that create pathways to dignity, participation, independence and opportunity for persons with disabilities.

Our Partners:

We are grateful for the unconditional support, assistance and understanding of our various partners to ensure quality, accessible and inclusive services to persons with disabilities and their families in the Breede Valley:

Breede Valley Municipality
Department of Education (CSPID)
Department of Health
Department of Social Development
DG Murray Trust
Disability Workshops Development Enterprise
Do More Foundation
Elma Philanthropies
GrandSlots CSI
Kinderfonds Mamas
Mamas Alliance
MoreThan-MeerAs
National Lotteries Commission
Omprakash
Pieter de Jager Trust
Rachel Swart Fund
SN Pool Community Trust
SyringaTrust
UWKANDA
Western Cape Network on Disability
Western Cape Association for Persons with Disabilities
Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability
Worcester Business Improvement District
Worcester Standard