Ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 03 December, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development is pleased with the successes it has made to better their lives.
The day aims to promote an understanding of disability rights and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities.
In an effort to empower the people with the disabilities, the department, in the year 2010/11 spent 675 633 procuring from businesses owned by people with disabilities.
There has also been a steady growth in the recruitment of people with disabilities. At the end of the 2009/10 financial year, the total number of people with disabilities was 385 and it now stands at 405.
In the same period, the department also provided funding to 23 shelters for abused women. In these shelters, 213 children and 511 women of which eight have disabilities are beneficiaries. Services rendered include the provision of residential care, assisted living facilities, social work services and referral to specialised services and protective workshops.
The department continues to provide funding support to 62 existing protective workshops for persons with disabilities managed by Non Profit Organisations (NPOs). These protective workshops together with one government run protective workshop provided services to 3 522 persons with disabilities.
In addition, the department continues to provide residential services to 1 777 people with disabilities through its 38 NPOs and two government residential facilities.
During 2010/11, 207 persons with disabilities resided in four assisted living facilities run by NPOs.
Other successes of the department include:
- An increase in the number of assistive devices issued from 31 092 in 2009/10 to 31 379 in 2010/11;
- A total of 145 clinics offered rehabilitation services;
- Over 1.7 million patients visited these services and more than 11 000 patients utilised podiatry services;
- Sixty clients with visual impairment underwent rehabilitation and
- 81 patients were seen in an orientation and mobility project.
Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe says, “As the department, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring that the rights of the vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities are protected in accordance with the constitution.”
Enquiries: Simon Zwane on 082 551 9892
