Minister
Essop Pahad
Address: International Day of Disabled Persons
3 December 2006
Programme Director, allow me to start by sharing information on the purpose of this event with those in our midst today who may be attending this annual celebration for the first time. The 3 rd of December has been proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Disabled Persons. Our country decided to join the family of other nations by also observing and celebrating this day as the national day of persons with disabilities.
On behalf of the Government of South Africa I would like congratulate everyone present here today, for honouring this event.
The Presidency regards the IDDP as a very important event as it takes place within the Disability Awareness Month and 16 Days of activism on No Violence against Women and Children and International Day of Disabled Persons. Government recognizes this process as a consultative mechanism in order to determine the regulatory impact assessment of policy implementation and service delivery to people with disabilities.
The theme that has been identified for 2006 is:
Age of Hope - Empowering persons with disabilities through equal opportunities e-Accessibility,
This should practically serve as a gateway to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities to all government programmes, projects and services without discriminating against them. Of more importance is the sub-theme which commits to e-accessibility which should be perceived as a vehicle to skill and empower persons with disabilities so as to create expanded opportunities for employment. The e-accessibility sub-theme is an UN international theme. The OSDP will identify 100 private and public companies and verify if their websites are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The theme challenges us and test how much, when, where and how effective do we mainstream disability in existing legislative framework.
Government is currently implementing the following aspects of the programme of action with regard to disability:
- Strengthening the disability national machinery so that it is effective in coordinating disability programmes;
- Monitor more closely the implementation of a well coordinated disability integrated policy, and measure progress of service delivery, against the disability indicators;
- Work on the International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the African Decade Programme.
- Increase awareness of what disability mainstreaming means and how it is to be accomplished.
- Integrate the work of OSDP into the range of activities and programming associated with Asgi-SA
- Strengthen ties with civil society in their respective sectors.
In addition to these programmes government will focus on two main priorities between 2007 – 2009. These are:
- Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities (Equal participation in community life.)
Government still faces a challenge of meeting the target of employing people with disabilities in the public service.
To address this backlog the Department of Public Service and Administration together with the OSDP have completed the JobACCESS programme and will be ready to implement in the next financial year 2007/08.
This will facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities in the public service to reach the 2% target by 2009/2010 fiscal year.
South Africa has participated in developing the Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Right and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities for the past five years. A special acknowledgement of dedicated service towards this well completed task should be made to Ms. Sebenzile Matshebula, the ex-director of the OSDP.
At its eighth session the UN AD Hoc committee adopted the convention in New York in August this year. What that means is that the convention has implications for SA and most importantly the initiatives that aim at better social and economic life for all persons with disabilities. After completion of the signing and ratification process, the OSDP will then develop an implementation plan of the convention for government.
This morning the disability movement has taken a firm stance by expressing their unavoidable needs through a march. Rightfully so, the needs of the people of South Africa will always be addressed based on principles that considers respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy; Non-discrimination; full and effective participation and inclusion in society; respect for difference and acceptance of disability as part of human diversity and humanity;
The opening prayer has not only nourished us spiritually this morning, but also succeeded to bring our thoughts near the theme which is displayed in this venue. Equality of opportunity and accessibility are key to the purpose of this special celebration.
One of the major challenges that face us as a country, is the verification of statistics with regard to persons with disabilities, that is, the impact of service delivery on a specific number of persons with disabilities.
This refers to the realization of their socio-economic rights, from available universally designed assistive devices to free health services etc. The question that we need to ask ourselves is to what extent are people with disabilities involved in planning all what is regarded as needs like what has been expressed through the march this morning. If people with disabilities are always consulted in processes, at what stage of development of such plans do they get involved?
What remains a fact is that people with disabilities have uncompromised rights to a whole lot of issues including the right to life, to nationality, to justice, security, social protection, non-violence independent living, privacy, opinion, education, health employment, participation in political life etc.
South Africa is currently hosting the International Paralympics Committee Swimming World Championships this month where persons with disabilities expose their talent through cultural activities and sport. We take this opportunity to with all the participants a successful competition.
In conclusion, government commits to work hand in hand with persons with disabilities in order to reach the goals and target that are set by all of us. We therefore appeal to all persons with disabilities to talk to government with a united voice. Best wishes for today's celebrations and a wonderful festive season.
I thank you
Issued by:
The Presidency
3 December 2006
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