3 December marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a United Nations-sanctioned day that "aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being".
People with disabilities constitute the world's largest minority. However, they continue to face significant barriers in terms of integration in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
This is certainly true in South Africa, where the community of people with disabilities still faces serious challenges in terms of their equal and integrated access to education, employment, accessibility and social security.
The majority of people with disabilities in South Africa are unemployed. Among the deaf, the incidence of unemployment is as high as 65%. Access to job opportunities is also restricted among a significant proportion of the community of people with disabilities, with 10.5% of the disabled population having no education.
Strengthening networks of non-governmental organisations and civil society, as well as actively working to improve employment and skills opportunities for people living with disabilities should be priority.
The DA will continue to raise awareness around the plight of people with disabilities, ensuring that they have access to the resources needed to improve their quality of life.
Helen Lamoela
DA Shadow Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities
