The North West Provincial Legislature will be hosting its annual Persons with Disability Parliament on Friday, 16 November 2012 in the Legislature Chamber at 10h00.
The event themed, “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”, aims to promote awareness on capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities as recommnded by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabitilities.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), ratified by South Africa in 2007, recognises that the existence of barriers constitutes a central component of disability. Under the Convention, disability is an evolving concept that “results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
The event will also create a platform for Persons with Disabilities to raise challenges on issues that affect them, making recommendations to relevant Portfolio Committees for them to hold departments and all relevant structures accountable, and report back to them about responses from departments on issues raised.
The following thematic areas will be discussed, breaking employment barriers, and Access to quality education for people with disabilities. About 350 persons with disabilities are expected to attend the event with relevant stakeholders ranging from Provincial Disability forum in which NGOs representing persons with disabilities are affiliated; different Provincial Departments and Members of the Executive Council and the Legislature.
Members of the media interested to attend should contact:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
