Call: include the disabled
IT’S THEIR RIGHT: SAHRC WANTS EMPLOYERS TO USE SKILLS OF THE HANDICAPPED
Hundreds of marchers hand over a memorandum of demands to government as they celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) yesterday called on government and the private sector to recruit, retain and develop the skills of disabled people.
SAHRC spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the celebration of International Day of People with Disability yesterday made it imperative for disabled people to be allowed to fulfil their role in society. He said they must also be afforded opportunities to participate in many fields on an equal basis with others.
“It is important to focus on the ability and not on the disability of an individual,” said Mangena.
“According to the United Nations, an estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide face many barriers to be included in key aspects of society.
“As a result, people living with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis.”
Challenges faced by people with disabilities include unemployment, a lack of access to transport and education, as well as a lack of participation in the social, economic and political arenas, said Mangena.
Hundreds of people – most of them disabled – yesterday marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria under the umbrella of the South African Disability Alliance and delivered a memorandum of demands to the Presidency.
Demands included the creation of equal economic and employment opportunities and the allocation of funding to the budgets of national and provincial governments for people with disabilities. –
It is important to focus on the ability and not the disability of a person Isaac Mangena SAHRC spokesperson