CONCRETE PLANS ON TRACK TO FAST-TRACK COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

By Sello Tang

• The Department of Social Development (DSD) is advancing its commitment to supporting persons with disabilities by rolling out concrete, actionable plans that aim to improve access to comprehensive services and resources.
• As part of this initiative, the DSD’s recent handover of the Provincial Report on Public Hearings for Disability Services to the Free State highlights critical recommendations, including increased employment quotas and enhanced service frameworks, developed through extensive public consultations.
• This initiative aligns with the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reinforces the Department’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment that promotes independent living and equal opportunities across social and economic sectors.

The handover ceremony for the Free State Provincial Report on Public Hearings on the Policy for Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities, covering the period from May to October 2023, was held at Bon Hotels in Bloemfontein, Free State Province. This event follows a similar handover held earlier in Cape Town.

Ms Sophie Molifi, Social Work Manager for Disability Services within the Department of Social Development, stated that this handover marks a pivotal moment, as the Free State Province is now expected to take ownership of the report and begin implementing its recommendations.

“This report provides a detailed overview of the provincial verbal and written inputs gathered during consultation workshops held in Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, and Welkom in 2023. It is a high-level summary of observations, findings, analysis, and recommendations from our discussions with you,” said Ms Molifi.

Ms Molifi highlighted that the report is designed to help the Department develop an enabling policy framework and service delivery environment that supports the needs of persons with disabilities, while promoting their mainstreaming and inclusion in all aspects of social and economic life.

The handover in Bloemfontein aligns with Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), observed every November. The first report handover took place recently in Cape Town, facilitated by Social Development Deputy Minister Mr Ganief Hendricks.

Among its recommendations, the report proposes raising the employment quota for persons with disabilities from 2% to 7% across all job sectors, including in public and private sector tenders and procurement. It also suggests that persons with disabilities be given opportunities to hold executive roles, particularly within government institutions. This 7% equity target is also reflected in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, approved by Cabinet on 9 December 2015.

In officially handing over the report to Ms Makgotso Mbuyisa, Chief Director of the Free State Provincial Social Development, Mr Kenny Maluleke, Chief Director of Strategy and Transformation, underscored that the policy reinforces the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reaffirms the Department’s commitment to providing services that support independent living and social inclusion on an equal basis with others.

“Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations were central to the development of this policy, contributing through 28 public hearings held across the nine provinces. We received substantial input from Bloemfontein, Welkom, and Thaba Nchu. I thank everyone in the Free State Province for their contributions to the draft policy,” said Mr Maluleke. He further noted that the policy is on track to proceed to Cabinet for approval, laying the groundwork for it to be legislated into law.

The report handover in Bloemfontein, Free State, also follows the official launch of National Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) under the theme: “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy—Creating a Disability-Inclusive Society for a Better Quality of Life and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”