By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
To address the challenges faced by the disability sector, the Gauteng Department of Social Development recently hosted a two-day provincial disability symposium at Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg.
In his keynote address, Professor Maxmus Sefotho of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) shed light on the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
According to him, people with disabilities are often confronted with difficult situations linked to the educational transition to the world of work.
Sefotho stated that the majority were less educated, jobless and living in poverty. He said that they too wanted the opportunity to make a contribution to their livelihood.
He emphasized the importance of changing the disability sector in Gauteng province.
In an attempt to reach that Sefotho posed three questions.
“Transforming from what to what? How does Gauteng prepare to attain sustainable disability rights? What practice experiences are implementable beyond policy in the province?
“We need to ensure they are afforded access to effective health services and protection during health emergencies. There must also be access to public health interventions across different sectors. We also need to protect their rights: not to be discriminated against; to be provided with reasonable accommodation/adjustments to access and participate fully in all aspects of life.
“They must also have access on equal basis on aspects of life such as transportation, information, communication; and other facilities and services open to the public. People with disability must live independently in the community and work on an equal basis with others.”
One day Sefotho was caught off guard when he reached the airport on his way to Moscow. He said that he was told that all the services he needed would be provided by disabled persons.
“I was impressed because I received best services. I would like to challenge Gauteng Government to implement similar strategy,” Sefotho said.
Statistics show that Gauteng has 1,952,223.1 people with disabilities and most of them are not educated and unemployed.
And very few of those people are in higher positions.
Director of Special Programs at the Gauteng Premier’s Office, Zaine Bulbulia highlighted the importance of working together to achieve priorities for people with disabilities in Gauteng.
“We need to see progress by reducing inequality, poverty, unemployment,and economic security for persons with disabilities and their families.
“Social integration of persons for them, universal access & design and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities must be ensured.
“Remember, nothing about us without us. Together we move Gauteng forward through inclusive communities that uphold the rights of persons with disabilities to empowerment, equality, dignity, justice, and self-reliance,” Bulbulia added.
The event concluded with a series of discussions and comments. The house agreed that they should work together as a sector and that all ministries should ensure that people with disabilities are empowered.
The vision was to see more people in the sector gain access to skills and employment opportunities, particularly in higher positions in the public and private sectors.