EDITOR – We have recently come to the shocking realisation that the world we live in is far from disabled friendly and it is truly a sad state of affairs!
We assist a blind gentleman and have experienced with him how small and closed his world is. This may be a shock to most people – but this sad state of affairs has nothing to do with his ability to see or not see the world around him.
This has to do with the fact that shops, shopping centres and restaurants have in fact told him and his guide dog that they are not welcome in their shops, centres and restaurants. His guide dog is well trained and obedient and gives no reason for the type of treatment they receive.
They are told by security guards at centres that dogs are not allowed. Do security companies not train their security staff – that a guide dog is a necessity to a blind person?
Why should the disabled be discriminated against? Why are they not allowed to have full and happy lives? Why are they not allowed to shop where they want to and dine at a restaurant if they so choose to?
Life is tough enough as it is – who gives able bodied people the right to make disabled people’s lives a misery and a nightmare thereby sealing their fate to a small closed in world?
Why do these people who love to discriminate not ask themselves how they would feel if they or a loved family member was disabled and received the type of treatment they are dishing out? Would they like it? Would they be happy being treated like that?
You may not care about this today – but what if it happens to you?
It’s time to wake up and get real!
Say No to Disabled Discrimination
Durban
