Support Durban North market for an inclusive society
The market is a place where people of neurodiverse backgrounds can experience an exciting day with family and friends while also shopping for food and different items.
THE much-anticipated annual market hosted by the Action in Autism NPO is taking place on Saturday, December 10 at their premises in Parkhill, Durban North.
Students of the Action in Autism’s Shahumna Centre, a skills transfer and business hub, have been hard at work preparing for the market, which is a step towards promoting an inclusive, neurodiverse society that is accepting of autistic people.
Manager of the Shahumna Centre Ashvir Dali said the students of the centre have developed the skills to plan, prepare and manage the various steps associated with a successful market.
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“The academic curriculum offers theoretical knowledge on running a business, and this market provides them with an opportunity to engage with the community and put into practice the skills they have learnt. The support of the community is pivotal to the success of the market. The organisation is calling on the local community and the greater Durban area to support the market and our autistic students. This market is a step towards promoting an inclusive, neurodiverse society that is accepting of autistic people,” said Dali.
Simon Grobler, an autistic student at the centre, said the market is a place where people of neurodiverse backgrounds can experience an exciting day with family and friends while also shopping for different items and food.
“It enables us as neurodiverse individuals to interact with others on a professional level and financially support this organisation that ultimately supports neurodiverse people,” said Simon.
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The market aims to raise funds essential for the operational costs of the organisation and to continue the services offered, which include a quarterly free diagnostic clinic, a bi-annual skills-transference workshop for parents, educators and professionals, and a walk-in resource centre that provides support for parents and caregivers of autistic people.
The Shahumna Centre offers a three-year skills and entrepreneurship programme for autistic adults. The programme focuses on areas such as food preparation and catering, horticultural crop gardening and indigenous plant propagation, and arts and crafts.
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