‘We are not disabled, just Differently Able’
Disability Rights Awareness Month [DRAM] seeks to teach society that people living with disabilities are also human.
The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Social Development, People with Disability Support Unit, visited the Ward 69 at the Westbury Recreational Centre on November 15.
The gathering was in aid spreading the message about the rights of the disabled during Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM).
DRAM is an annual event which takes place between November 3 and December 3. This years’ theme was “Strengthening Self-representation”.
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DRAM was launched by the minister of social development, Bathabile Dlamini on November 3.
The aim of the awareness month is to sensitise young people to build on the legacy of OR Tambo and Friday Mavuso, which focused on building a sustainable and resilient society for all.
The month-long campaign seeks to embrace and uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and this year, the primary focus will be on young persons with intellectual disabilities.
According to a social worker, Nicholas Njoku, persons with intellectual disabilities are often forgotten and overlooked because their disabilities are not always visible.
Intellectual disabilities (ID), also known as a general learning disability, is a generalised neurodevelopmental disorder which significantly impairs the intellectual and adaptive functioning of a person.
The government is responsible for driving the equity, equality and empowerment agenda in terms of those living with disabilities.
Lastly, the rights of persons with disabilities cannot be overemphasized, we encouraged all and sundry to support the emancipation of persons with disabilities to know their rights; which include the following:
Njoku said: “We are targeting less than 100 people with disabilities today.”
The had a talk about sensitising them to know their rights and to prepare them to work in the working environment.
We have invited SASSA because we have challenges when it comes to disability grants because there are different disabilities. So, Sassa came to explain how things work.
“The Coronationville training centre and Coronationville Care Centre and Workshops beneficiaries were present for the day.
