Disability Rights Awareness Month 2015

Every year from 3 November to 3 December, we commemorate Disability Rights Awareness Month to honour and show support for people living with disabilities in our communities. 

A month dedicated to people with disabilities

The month is aimed at creating awareness and is dedicated to:

• making people aware about the rights of persons with disabilities,
• making information available and accessible for persons with disabilities to grant them equal access to socio-economic opportunities,
• promoting the use of the abilities of persons who are differently abled, and
• demonstrate government’s commitment to promoting, protecting and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities.

Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December every year. The 2015 theme is "Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities."

This day seeks to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the gains which are to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.

It also provides an opportunity to achieve the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society.

Classifications of disabilities

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as learning, working, walking, seeing, and hearing. Here are some examples: 

• Physical disabilities: spina bifida, arthritis, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis.
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities: down syndrome, autism, and dyslexia.
• Mental disabilities: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, separation anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
• Sensory disabilities: blindness, hearing, and smell and
• Emotional disabilities: Mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, and eating disorders.

Disabled people have rights

According to the Disability Rights Charter of South Africa if you’re disabled you have the right to:

• not be discriminated against, 
• represent yourself, 
• have access to proper health and rehabilitation services, 
• be educated, 
• employment, and
• participate in sport and recreational activities.

Special programmes during November

The government offers special support to those who are differently abled, in the form of grants and special services.

Special programmes include a sign language training programme which will continue to run throughout the month of November. This training targets social workers, customer care assistants (front line staff) from regional and local offices, as well as people from the disability programme. 

To find out more information about the sign language training programme, speak to Aliva Hlanganiso on 021 483 6036 or email her at aliva.hlanganiso@westerncape.gov.za

Programmes and services for people with disabilities

If you’re living with any disability, we have various programmes and services on offer to cater for the basic rights of you and your family. We’re dedicated to make sure that you receive the best care and support through these programmes:

1.)    Services for persons with disabilities 
We want to ensure that disabled people get the best possible services available to them.

2.)    Protective workshops
A safe, disabled-friendly environment which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to develop and improve their skills. The aim is to help participants to earn an income through the products they make in order to increase their disability grants.

3.)    Residential facilities for persons with disabilities
If you’re looking for a proper residential facility for your loved one, we have just the facilities you’re looking for.

4.)    Persons with disabilities programme
This programme aims to ensure that everyone who lives with disabilities, as well as their families, have access to developmental social welfare services. It also aims to promote socio-economic opportunities through our protective workshops.