To download the soundbite of the Chairperson, Ms Bridget Masango click here: https://iono.fm/e/1508576
Parliament, Tuesday, 3 December 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development calls for the finalisation of the Policy on Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities. This policy will inform the development of legislation that will govern the department’s services for people with disabilities.
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year’s theme is “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
In South Africa, persons with disabilities account for 7.5 per cent of the population. While government is doing some work to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, they remain disproportionately excluded from accessing some services, work opportunities as well as access to basic education opportunities due to physical barriers, shortage of schools for children with special needs and lack of scholar transport. Many government departments have not met the government’s target of employing 2% of people with disabilities. Of most concern to the committee is that the country still has no legislation governing services to persons with disabilities.
In its oversight work in the 6th administration, the committee found that reporting institutions were not complying with reporting requirements and that disability rights instruments were not being enforced, monitored, and evaluated.
The committee also found that departments have no dedicated disability rights focal persons and do not plan or budget for disability inclusiveness in their programmes. Also, most departments do not implement the government’s reasonable accommodation policy or develop department-specific reasonable accommodation policies. This was attributed to the lack of overarching disability legislation to enforce compliance and reporting.
The committee thus calls for the Department of Social Development to finalise all the work and consultation on the policy and ultimately draft the necessary legislation.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
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