Dear Listers, As a new subscriber to BLINDZA I have been requested to send a message to introduce myself. I am a disability consultant with nearly 20 years experience working with all disabilities, mainly on community projects. For the past 12 months we have been developing The Sponge, a database of NGOs, government departments and any other organisations that provide services to disabled people. We have recently launched an SMS information service to enable disabled people to find out about rehabilitation services in their area. Please see media release below. We have already had enquiries from many parts of South Africa, relating to all disabilities. I would really appreciate any comments on how we can improve the service. Regards Tony ^*^*^*^*^ MEDIA RELEASE - Friday 20 November 2009 NEW SMS INFORMATION SERVICE FOR DISABLED PEOPLE ************************************************************************ DISABILITY SMS INFORMATION SERVICE If you would like information about disability rehabilitation services in your area, please send an SMS with your name, town and the info you need to 072-172 2623 (No extra SMS charges apply) We will reply by SMS and help you contact local organisations who may be able to help you. ********************************************************************** Disabled people, especially those living in rural parts of South Africa, often find it difficult to get information about the rehabilitation services that are available to them from government departments and NGOs in their area. This new SMS information service is available to anyone with access to a cellphone who sends an SMS with their name, town and the information they need to - 072-172 2623 An SMS will be sent back to the caller with contact info for the nearest service provider to them. An email will be sent to the service provide to ask them to make direct contact with the caller. After a week or so, a follow-up email will be sent to the service provider to monitor what service has been provided. Please note that 072-172 2623 is NOT a call centre and will only respond to a standard SMS. There are no extra SMS charges. The service is NOT designed to provide detailed information to the caller - that should be done by the service provider. Government departments and NGOs are asked to please use their networks to notify disabled people throughout South Africa of this service and to share this media release with their medical staff, therapists, social workers, teachers and all staff who come into contact with disabled people. We hope that they will please display this media release wherever it might be seen by disabled people and their families, such as at hospitals, clinics, Welfare offices, SASSA Pay Points, schools, Labour Centres, Post Offices, Police Stations, Libraries, Councillor's Offices and NGOs. We would like to thank AXXESS DSL for sponsoring the SMS to PC system and providing us with technical back-up. Issued by - Tony and Tim Webb, Disability Consultants, Port Elizabeth. +27-41-368 3707, Mobile +27-82-290 3764, tony.webb@xxxxxxxxxxxx, www.interface-sa.org.za