Department marks beginning of Disability Rights Awareness Month
Today the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) commemorates the beginning of National Disability Rights Awareness Month.
South Africa commemorates National Disability Rights Awareness Month annually between 3 November and 3 December. 3 December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and is also commemorated as National Disability Rights Awareness Day.
DSD has allocated over R148-million in 2016/17 towards ever increasingly expanding services to persons with disabilities. This has allowed the department to assist 85 475 persons, up from 59 870 in the prior year. Our focus is not only on improving access, but also extending socio-economic opportunities to especially disabled youth, and increasing services for people with intellectual disabilities.
The department continues to notch up some key successes, including;
- The launch of a fleet of disability-friendly government vehicles, to improve mobility for disabled staff,
- The establishment a residential care facility in Maitland that accommodates 30 persons with intellectual disability,
- An additional allocation of R30 million was spent to expand services in 2015/16,
- Launch of the Kaleidescope Apple Training Centre in Worcester, which trains blind technicians in IT and Apple product repairs.
A key development has been the establishment of the DSD Disability Desk. This office is operational, and has already made a difference in improving disability access within the provincial government.
DSD has placed great emphasis on expanding services to people living with intellectual disabilities. In total, DSD has allocated R64-million, and funds 112 organisations working with people with intellectual disabilities.
We have gradually begun to focus on building specialisation in Autism Spectrum Disorder, and now fund 3 organisations in this focus area;
- Autism Western Cape
- Education & Training Hub for Autism Needs
- Autism Connect
The Provincial Minister of Social Development, Adv. Albert Fritz, will be marking this period with numerous events across the province this month.
People with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everybody else, and DSD is committed to working with all our partners to expand services and opportunity. The public can seek more information by visiting any DSD local office, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.
Media enquiries:
MEC Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Sihle Ngobese
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 076 083 6543
E-mail: Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za
