International Day of the Disabled (2

International Day of the Disabled

DATE:

2 - 3 December 2005

CATEGORY:

Focus Day/Week/Month

LOCATION:

Western Cape, South Africa

DESCRIPTION:

The theme for the International Day of the Disabled is
"Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in development"

A major focus of the International Day of Disabled Persons (IDDP) is awareness raising through practical action in order to sensitize citizens about international norms and standards that guide processes which aim to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. Such standards should assist nations in facilitating the participation of persons with disabilities in the social, economic, cultural and political life.

In the Western Cape, the provincial government is focussing on:

Acknowledging contributions to creating a society for all - a home for all - human rights for all
Implementing an Integrated Provincial Disability Strategy (IPDS)
Mainstreaming disability into all government strategies, policies, programmes and budgets
Highlighting the fact that hiv/aids and violence also affect people with disabilities
Encouraging access to job creation, education and training, the built environment, social development, information and technology
Prioritising economic empowerment of people with disabilities
Promoting social empowerment of people with disabilities
Building partnerships between government and civil society around issues relating to disability
Calling people to act around issues of disability
Ensuring government's ongoing commitment to implementing the Integrated Provincial Disability Strategy
Promoting the Western Cape as a caring Province.

The province is involved in two main events to recognise the International Day of Disability, 2005:

Event / Activity

Location

Date

Target Group

Expected Outcomes

Roleplayers

Pre-Event

Cape Town to Vredenburg

2 December 2005

Blind cyclists on tandems; wheelchair athletes plus other disabled athletes, carrying a torch

Public awareness of disability; celebration athletic abilities of disabled

Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport

WC Network on Disability City & Municipal officials Cycling & athletic clubs

Business & media

Local communities along the way

International Day of Disabled Persons

Vredenburg Sports Grounds

3 December 2005

Disabled persons from West Coast municipalities plus as many disabled from Atlantis, CT City, Grabouw, Hermanus, & Worcester, as can afford to transport to venue

Raise Awareness of the W.C Disability Network
Create networking opportunity
Provide information on various services rendered by government departments to people with disabilities
Provide information to the public on disability as well as the rights of disabled persons.
Provide information on no violence against women and children campaign

WC Network on Disability & member NGO’s and DPO’s

Provincial Government of the Western Cape

West Coast Municipalities & communities

Business &media

Disabled & non-disabled performers

Read more about what the International Day of the Disabled is about and how people can observe this day.

CONTACT:

For more information on the events taking place, or on the Provincial Governments efforts to raise awareness around and sensitize people towards issues relating to disability, please contact:Marie Hendricks
Office on the Status of Disabled Persons
Tel: 021 483 5878
mahendri@pgwc.gov.za

EVENT HOST / OWNER:

The content on this page was last updated on 1 December 2005

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