ZACD undertakes a range of activities designed to empower children with disabilities and their families. These include:
Production and Supply of Mobility aids:
The organization produces and supplies essential equipment, including standing frames, special chairs, clubfoot shoes, wedges,
rollers, crutches, walkers, and corner seats. All aids are designed, assembled, and produced according to medical specifications to
ensure maximum effectiveness.
Community Awareness and Education:
ZACD conducts community outreach programs to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of disabilities in children. These programs emphasize a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA),
promoting the rights and dignity of children with disabilities.
Psycho-Social Support:
The organization offers psycho-social support to parents and guardians of children with disabilities, equipping them with the knowledge and emotional resilience needed to care for their children effectively.
Production and Provision of Specialized Mobility Aids:
We have successfully designed, built, and distributed a wide range of assistive devices, including special chairs, walkers, standing frames, clubfoot shoes, wedges, and rollers. These aids are specifically tailored to improve mobility, posture, and overall quality of life for children with disabilities.
Pioneers in Clubfoot Shoe Production:
ZACD is proud to be the first organization in Zambia to produce locally made clubfoot shoes (SFAB). Our shoes have been recognized for their high quality and effectiveness, ranking among the top three in Africa. These shoes have significantly contributed to the rehabilitation of children born with clubfoot, enabling them to walk and live more active lives.
Enhancing Accessibility for Children with Disabilities:
Through our strategic partnerships and collaborations, we have expanded our reach, ensuring that more children—especially those from vulnerable households—gain access to free or affordable mobility aids.
Strengthening Awareness and Advocacy:
We have played a crucial role in raising community awareness about the needs, rights, and potential of children with disabilities. Our advocacy efforts have influenced policies and encouraged stakeholders to support disability-inclusive initiatives.
Challenges
Storage Constraints:
Limited Awareness:
Transport Limitations:
capacity for materials and finished products, which limits
its ability to produce and stock mobility aids in large
quantities
guardians remain uninformed about the
advantages of mobility aids, as well as
sitting and standing aids, for children with
disabilities. This lack of awareness often
delays the adoption of these essential
resources, limiting their benefits to the
children.
hampers the collection of raw materials, the delivery of
mobility aids to beneficiaries, and the execution of
outreach and marketing activities.
Future Plans
Expansion of Services:
Local Material Sourcing:
Begin assembling and repairing wheelchairs and steel crutches to increase accessibility for children with mobility challenges.
Identify and utilize locally sourced and recycled materials for the production of mobility aids to promote sustainability.
Awareness Campaigns
Caregiver Support:
Enhance sensitization efforts, particularly in rural communities, to educate parents and guardians on the benefits of mobility aids and supportive devices.
Extend psycho-social support services to household caregivers, helping them manage the emotional and physical challenges of providing care to children with disabilities.
Scale-Up of Clubfoot Shoes:
Parental Education and
Support:
Produce SFAB clubfoot shoes on a larger scale to meet growing demand and support more children.
Increase educational initiatives for parents and guardians, equipping them to provide better care for children with disabilities.
Acquisition of Transport:
Scale-Up of Clubfoot Shoes:
Purchase organizational vehicles for efficient
material collection, product delivery, and
awareness campaigns.
Produce SFAB clubfoot shoes on a larger scale to meet growing demand and support more children.