3 November - 3 December
South Africa celebrates 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 celebrated as National Disability Rights Awareness Day.
The theme for this year’s DRAM is “Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environments”.
Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. A disability may be present from birth, or occur during a person's lifetime.
The Disability Awareness Month offers an opportunity for all of us to remove these barriers and to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities through concrete action.
The Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities is responsible for driving the government’s equity, equality and empowerment agenda in terms of those living with disabilities.
The events calendar for the month will be in line with the sub-themes that are derived from the government priorities. These includes:
Week 1 (07 - 11 Nov)
National Priority 6: Social cohesion and safe communities
Sub-Theme 1: Resourcing the advancement of accessible communication, information and technology methodologies for persons with disabilities.
Week 2 (14 - 18 Nov)
National Priority 3: Education, Skills and Health
Sub-Theme 2: Adequate resourcing and supply of all economic and health related services for persons with disabilities.
Week 3 (21 - 25 Nov)
National Priority 6: Social Cohesion and Safer Communities
Sub-Theme 3: Capacity building on entrepreneurship and business skilling for persons with disabilities.
Week 4 (28 Nov – 03 Dec)
National Priority 5: Social cohesion and safe communities
This week coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children Campaign Sub-Theme: Resourcing the state to ensure provision for access to justice for persons with disabilities.