8 November 2006
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed, in resolution 47/3 of
October 1992 that 3 December should be observed as the International Day of
Disabled Persons. The assembly appealed to member states to develop this day to
the reflection on issues of persons with disabilities, so as to advance the
equalisation of opportunities for this constituency.
South Africa joined the family of nations by observing and celebrating this
day of persons with disabilities. In 2000 Cabinet realised that the 3 December
celebrations was not enough to highlight their plight and that departments were
not doing enough for disabled persons. It was decided that November be the
Disability Focus Month.
The objective of the launch is to raise awareness and place sharper focus on
and identify challenges and opportunities for persons with disabilities and
also to build a partnership with stakeholders like the Department of Public
Service and Administration (DPSA) and Provincial Disability forums.
"There are those people and parents who still ill-treat people with
disability or birth defects. Some parents, once they recognise that the child
has some disability, they lock that child behind doors and do not want the
child to interact with others, thus impeding the child's movement. Let me
remind everyone, people living with disability have the same rights as the
so-called able people."
"These rights are entrenched in the constitution and people must know
labelling people with birth defects is a breach of our constitution. We need to
treat these people as equal and afford them all other opportunities and
benefits that are enjoyed by other South Africans. The department will continue
to give these people aid including hearing aids, walking sticks and wheel
chairs to make sure that they are employed to make their lives much better,"
concluded MEC Nomonde Rasmeni.
Enquiries:
Zakes Molala
Acting Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Fax: (018) 387 5830
Email: lmolala@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
8 November 2006
Source: North West Department of Health (http://www.nwhealth.gov.za)
