MAKING DISABILITY INCLUSION COUNT THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

By Morapedi Sibeko

• The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the Department of Social Development (DSD) and other co-hosts held a seminar as part of the 2026 Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) programme, stressing that disability inclusion requires collective effort.
• Ms Manthipi Molamu of the Department of Social Development (DSD) called for a shift from paper compliance to real impact, with people with disabilities recognised as rights-holders, decision-makers and contributors.
• The Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) are working together to create skills development and employment pathways for people with disabilities.

Disability inclusion cannot be achieved by a single institution. This was one of the key messages from a seminar co-hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the Department of Social Development (DSD) and other partners as part of the 2026 Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) programme.

Speaking at the seminar, Professor Khangelani Zuma, Divisional Executive at the HSRC, emphasised that disability inclusion requires collective effort. He also highlighted the need for research that goes beyond documenting exclusion to understanding why it persists.

This is important because effective responses must address the underlying barriers that continue to prevent people with disabilities from accessing services and participating fully in society.

Civil society organisations working in the disability sector are important partners in this process. They are not only advocates for change, but also hold valuable knowledge and lived experience that can inform policies, programmes and service delivery. Their contribution should extend beyond consultation to meaningful participation in the decisions and actions that affect people with disabilities.

A strategic partnership begins with a shared understanding of the problem, a clear purpose and agreed responsibilities. Partners need to understand what needs to change, who should benefit and what each organisation will contribute. This helps to prevent duplication, identify gaps and ensure that different mandates and areas of expertise complement one another. In disability inclusion, this means looking beyond whether services exist to whether people with disabilities can access and benefit from them.

Coordinated partnerships are particularly important in deep rural communities. People with disabilities in these areas often face additional barriers, such as long distances to service points, limited transport, inaccessible infrastructure and inadequate access to information and support services. These challenges can make it difficult to access social development services, healthcare, education and opportunities for participation.

Strategic partnerships must therefore extend beyond urban centres to ensure that services, information and support reach people with disabilities in communities that are often difficult to access. Working with local organisations, community structures and relevant government departments can help to identify these barriers and develop responses that reflect the needs of each community.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022–2030, emphasises meaningful participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of programmes. This reinforces the importance of recognising people with disabilities, including children and young people, as active participants whose perspectives must inform decisions.

Ms Manthipi Molamu, Director of the Directorate for Services to People with Disabilities at the DSD, said DRAM must move beyond commitments towards evaluating whether these commitments are making a real difference. She highlighted the need to move from paper compliance to actual impact, while recognising people with disabilities as active rights-holders, key decision-makers and valuable contributors. She noted that the realisation of rights in everyday life remains a significant concern.

The DSD’s contribution includes strengthening the social development response through supported employment and social participation. In partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour, this work seeks to strengthen social and labour market skills development and create pathways for people with disabilities to participate meaningfully in society and the economy. It illustrates how collaboration between departments can connect social support with opportunities for skills development, employment and greater independence.

The seminar heard that partnerships should be assessed by more than the number of meetings held, workshops conducted or commitments announced. Partners must ask whether access to services has improved, whether barriers have been removed, whether support is reaching those who need it and whether people with disabilities are able to exercise their rights.

Ultimately, a strategic partnership is one whose impact can be felt in people’s everyday lives. It is reflected in more coordinated services, stronger community support, accessible environments and greater opportunities for participation. The DSD and its partners are committed to turning shared commitments into practical, sustained efforts that improve the lives of people with disabilities and advance their rights, dignity and inclusion.