91ÖÆƬ³§

UMSAEP UM-UWC Linkage Report

Visit to Kansas City, UMKC campus 19th January – 7th February 2025

Fostering capacity development and independence for people with disabilities: Skills and knowledge transfer between the USA and South Africa

Gotto, George

Institute for Human Development 91ÖÆƬ³§ Kansas City

Malema, Makhaya

Department of Sport, Recreation & Exercise Science University of the Western Cape

Overview

Makhaya Malema travelled to UMKC from the 19th January 2025 until 6th of February 2025. This was necessary to meet with the research partner Dr George Gotto as they seek to implement a collaboration on their shared research interest in Disability. Prior to the visit, George and Makhaya wrote a proposal to highlight the areas that wish to advance, which focused on three phases: (1) knowledge sharing, (2) research development, and (3) course development. The project will focus on sharing techniques to improve life outcomes for people with disabilities. Specifically, phases 1 and 2 revolve around training a UWC faculty member in the implementation of the UMKC-IHD courses that advances and champions the lives of people with disabilities.

Knowledge share

During his stay, Makhaya was trained and participated in the discussions about the following programs:

1. Program which aims to reduce health disparities experienced by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and adults with mobility limitations (ML) in Missouri.
2. (ACED) which Offers adults the opportunity to attend non-credit classes in an educational and social environment. Furthermore, ACED designed to teach independent living skills, provide life-enhancing experiences and foster self-determination and independence.
3. at the UCEDD supports people with lived experience in developmental disabilities through numerous channels including: WeSaid Speakers’ Bureau – Find your next keynote speaker or share your story or expertise. Candace’s Corner (Podcast) – Shares information in important topics for people with lived experience in developmental disabilities. Take FIVE with Skye (Video Series) – Five-minute episodes, hosted by Skye VanLanduyt, feature people with and without disabilities telling stories about resilience, empowerment and feeling self-determined throughout the human journey. WeSaid Academy (Training and Technical Assistance Center) – Offers training for and by individuals with lived experience to promote advocacy, self-determination and independence.

Further to the training courses and workshops, Makhaya spent some time with various teams in the UMKC-IHD. Makhaya learnt about the on-going projects such as Early Childhood research, Communities of practice for families for people with disabilities and Alianzas.

Research development

Makhaya and George have since developing a research project. This project will be registered in both institutions UWC and UMKC. Once fully developed, the research project will include two points of data collection to draw comparison between the two countries. The other developing project that Makhaya shared with George will focus on: Leveraging Research and Advocacy to Make Health Systems More Inclusive of People with Intellectual Disabilities in South Africa. The latter proposal is in the formative stages, and will be developed through the next couple of months. This will be an on-going process for the first half of the year, with the intention to get ethics before the end of the year.

Course development

The prospects of developing a course will be guided by the needs assessment that will be carried out by Makhaya. The needs assessment will look at the UWC processes and requirements; this will include costing, staff personnel and other resources. Makhaya and George will be course leaders and facilitate majority of the classes and module development. The target for the need’s assessment is August 2025.

Outputs from the trip

Accessible is a partnership between the Missouri LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) and the Missouri UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities). Accessible S3: Episode 14 – Ubuntu in Disability Systems Change

What’s next?

For continuity of this collaboration, Makhaya and George have setout some key milestones on what must be achieved and when. Furthermore, it is planned that George will visit UWC where he will run workshops for data collection methodology that we will use in our research project. This is targeted for the next potential funding that we can obtain. Additionally, Makhaya and George are targeting other funding mechanisms to assist with the costing of making possible these three-key focuses of the collaboration. One major attention will be given to the Fulbright grant.

Gallery moments

Despite the full schedule, George, Makhaya, Brendon and Cody were able to go watch the Football Game between Kansas City  Chiefs and Buffalo Bills on the 27th January 2025.

Last day in Kansas UMKC-IHD

On the last day, Makhaya and George met will all staff present to take some pictures and bid farewell.

Makhaya wishes to thank the UMKC-IHD family for the warm reception and pleasant stay on their campus. I truly did not feel out of place or feeling some type of way because of the warm welcoming of everyone. My deepest gratitude to George Gotto for all his warmth and sincerity, his family for being a great host and ensuring that I adjusted. All the staff involved in the training workshops and course, I am grateful for the time and efforts put into those sessions, and greatly appreciate the UMSEP committee for the funding which made all this possible.

Makhaya Malema mmalema@uwc.ac.za

+27219592245