President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow, 10 March 2016, officially open the Disability Rights Summit, taking place from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 March 2016 at Saint Georges Hotel, in Centurion.
Hosted by the Department of Social Development under the theme "Unified in diversity and disability, together advancing people's power", the Summit will seek to strengthen consensus on an accelerated programme of action to implement the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD).
South Africa has achieved a lot in realising the political and socio-economic rights of persons with disabilities as entrenched in the Bill of Rights, including the rights to equality, dignity and self-reliance.
The summit also coincides with the Human Rights Month which is celebrated annually in South Africa, in March, again demonstrating Government's continued commitment to work with stakeholders and the disability sector.
President Zuma will also, on the sidelines of the summit, preside over the first meeting of the Presidential Working Group on Disability.
The summit will, amongst others, also showcase the following:
The Disability Rights Exhibition will provide information and exposure on the various types of reasonable accommodation support for persons with disabilities. It will also have a reader's corner with exhibits of books published by writers with disabilities, and of disability-related magazines.
The Disability Awards will provide a platform to recognise persons with disabilities and disability rights activists who have excelled during 2015 and to celebrate their achievements.
Media attending the event should please send their details to Jaconia Kobue, JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za or Zinhle Langa, ZinhleL@dsd.gov.za or 083 899 5149 by end of business today, Wednesday, 9 March 2016.
Members of the media are also advised to bring along their press cards and/or ID/Passport documents on the day of the event.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
