As we enter into a brand-new year, with changes happening all around us, it is helpful to reflect on the relationships built in the past, appreciate the moments shared and plot the way ahead.\ With the year drawing to a close, it’s a good time to look back at all...
Upfront
Tackling prejudice
If we want to improve equality and freedom, we need to do something differently. It could all start with addressing our prejudices and (mis)perceptions. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which has been signed by South Africa and is part of international law, is...
A National Health insurance to benefit all?
In an attempt to offer better services to all, the South African government is planning to implement a National Health Insurance plan. With great excitement the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, presented two bills for public comment on June 21, 2018. If enacted into legislation, the National Health Insurance (NHI)...
A thought for the employed South Africans with disabilities
Employment is one way of ensuring economic stability for most people around the world. However, it is not easy to find or maintain meaningful employment when faced with difficult conditions. The employment of persons with disabilities is usually characterised by untested expectations and perceptions, many of which are not true....
The effect of political change
India introduced new policies to make the country more accessible For people with disabilities. What will the current political changes in South Africa mean For South Africans with disabilities? Now is the perfect time to reflect. A political change of guard: is it for the good of a few or not so...
And not a drop to drink…
As the water crisis deepens, people with disabilities can only hope that the City of Cape Town will make special arrangements for them at the “secured collection points”. Cape Town is flanked on both sides by the ocean. It is the Mother city; it has been a safe harbour and...
Rugby – a game-changer
South Africa might have lost the bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but not all is lost… Rugby is a sport in which we, as a country, have achieved the highest accolades. We hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa a year after our first democratic...
Where to from here?
Heritage Month is an excellent time every year to reflect on our position in society, but how can we encourage even greater acceptance of people with disabilities? In the face of recent political developments, it would be naive not to give a thought to the future of people with disabilities...
Onwards to a barrier-free society
Everyone needs to work together to eliminate the barriers that are preventing people with disabilities from fully participating in their community Whenever I’m confronted with the need to define disability or to justify my position in society as a person with a disability, I am faced with a dilemma. Do...
Feeling Free?
South Africa celebrates Freedom Day each year, but we cannot be a free country if there’s no inclusion of all races, genders, ages and people with disabilities. South Africa’s calendar is peppered with days of commemoration. Religious holidays and days with political significance are usually celebrated in the form of...