Converted car for the physically challenged
The MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Work, Thandiswa Marawu has unveiled a new converted vehicle for people with disabilities. This was during the launch of Eastern Cape Disability Economic Empowerment Trust (ECDEET) Driver Training Programme at the Atlantis Beachfront Centre in East London on 5 March 2014.
The programme is intended to empower and enhance the driving skills of young disabled people and ensure that they are ready and qualify for their driver's licences, which will assist them in finding employment.
Addressing the delegates, MEC Marawu, commended the ECDEET and Disabled People South Africa - Eastern Cape for such an innovative programme to advance the interests of people with disabilities. She assured the house that her department will provide necessary support in order to expand the initiative.
“As the MEC responsible for Transportation in this Province, I would like to commit myself and my department to ensure that we expand this driver training programme focusing on disabled people,” said MEC.
Explaining how the programme will operate, Thabiso Phethuka, who is a Chief Executive Officer of Disabled People South Africa in the Eastern Cape, said that the programme will service the entire province on rotational bases.
“Ten young disabled people annually per district / region totalling 80 beneficiaries in the province,” he said.
