Foundation, Tshwane to host disability awareness conference
Create an environment at work that is welcoming to people with disabilities, says Oppi Bol CEO Cazle Hendricks.
The Oppie Bol Foundation (OBF) will host its first national disability awareness conference next month.
The foundation has partnered with Human Science Research Council (HSRC), and the Tshwane metro.
Foundation CEO Cazle Hendricks said the main objective of the NDAC was to investigate public practices with regard to disability equity in various sectors.
“It aims to engender participation in a series of discussions that will serve as a national barometer in disability and thus inform future behaviour by policymakers, academia, and the NGO sector serving persons with disability on the ground,” Hendricks said.
Foundation spokesperson Khothatso Makhubela said Statistics South Africa has proven that the country had a population of 7.5% disabled people which equals 3 million but only 1% of the 7.5% disabled people were employed.
Makhubela said the figures needed to be questioned because modern-day technology has removed numerous obstacles to disabled people pursuing their career goals.
“In the field of computer technology, many visually, hearing and physically disabled individuals perform admirably – because of advancements in computers, lawyers who are blind or partially sighted are now a reality”.
Makhubela revealed that numerous blind physiotherapists operated their own highly successful practices.
“People with visual impairments can also make bricks and tiles by hand. People who are deaf or hard of hearing frequently succeed in noisy occupations like panel beating, which may be detrimental to hearing people,” he reiterated.
According to the foundation, the country required every skilled worker to contribute to prosperity.
“In order to make a positive impact at work, people with disabilities need to play a crucial role. In most cases, it is found that an environment of acceptance, cooperation, and goodwill helps a person with a disability become a productive and well-adjusted worker.”
Hendricks urged the government and policymakers to be considerate of people with disabilities when drafting policies, adding that as the foundation they would appreciate more accommodating policies.
“The term ‘affirmative action’ refers to specific actions taken by an employer to ensure that people from designated groups with the right qualifications have equal employment opportunities and are equally represented in all workplace’s occupational categories and levels.
“In order to create an environment at work that is welcoming to people with disabilities, some of these measures include making reasonable accommodations,” Hendricks concluded.
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