Mandate
SANDA’s mandate is to advance the rights, inclusion, empowerment, and human development of Deaf people at all levels of society through:
Building capacity within the Deaf sector
Influencing public policy
Setting the agenda for meaningful and inclusive development
Championing South African Sign Language (SASL) rights and education
Promoting Deaf leadership and representation in governance
Advancing access to justice, healthcare, technology, and essential services
Fostering partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors.
We will achieve this by:
Providing accessible programmes, services and support that reflect the values, aspirations, language, and culture of Deaf people.
Advancing advocacy, public awareness, and education on Deaf people, deafness, hearing loss, and Deaf rights.
Strengthening strategic Deaf leadership, knowledge management, and evidence-based research.
Contributing to inclusive policy development that advances the inclusion, participation, and representation of Deaf people across government and society.
Building a sustainable, innovative, and high-performing organisation that advances the rights of Deaf people.
Reflecting, through our work, the enhanced quality of life and well-being of Deaf people within a more just and inclusive South African society.