Building a South Africa that is inclusive of Disability Rights this #DisabilityRightsAwarenessMonth
JOBURG – The South African Police Service said that President Cyril Ramaphosa committed the government to join the disability sector of South Africa on a journey toward the full socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
According to a statement by the police, the South African Police Service embraces people living with disabilities and employees in the police demonstrated their support for persons living with disabilities by participating in different initiatives, including Casual Day.
South Africa commemorates Disability Rights Awareness Month from 3 November to 3 December 2019. Awareness is raised to protect the rights of persons with disabilities under the theme ‘Together building South Africa inclusive of Disability Rights’.
The police said that Disability Rights Awareness Month culminates in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that is observed on 3 December around the world. “The year 2019 also marks 12 years since South Africa ratified both the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol,” said the statement.
The police said that President Cyril Ramaphosa committed the government to join the disability sector of South Africa on a journey toward the full socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
In a meeting that was held on 26 February this year, the disability sector delegates highlighted the following five important goals for the attention of the Presidential Working Group on Disability:
- Support for vulnerable groups and strengthening of the criminal justice system to end the victimisation of persons with disabilities
- Location of government’s Office of Disability within the Presidency as part of the reconfiguration of government
- The adoption of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language
- The domestication of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with the effect that all legislation and the whole of government should mainstream disability
- Resourcing from various sources, for programmes that support people with disabilities.
the South African Police Service urged South Africans to celebrate Disability Rights Awareness Month by extending a professional and quality service to persons with a disability. “Remember, they too have the right to receive the same professional services that you would like to be rendered to yourself and your family.”
Related article:
https://midrandreporter.co.za/222031/community-talks-living-disability/
