National Disability Rights Awareness Month was celebrated during the annual Ehlanzeni District Disability (EDM) Forum meeting on Thursday November 3.
The National Disability Awareness Month is annually commemorated between November 3 and December 3.
The EDM held this celebration under the theme, “Empowering persons with disabilities through a resourceful, sustainable and safe environment”.
The issues affecting people with disabilities were covered, such as employment prospects, housing challenges, special accommodative transport and discrimination in the service delivery.
The issue of housing was emphasised. The attendees mentioned how the houses built do not cater for them, as they are not easily accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Lucas Gune, a resident, said, “People with disabilities struggle to get jobs or market themselves. Preference is always given to able people and we feel sidelined. We are always told to apply and register on certain databases, but with no luck of being employed. Most of us live in extreme poverty and the money we get is not enough to cover all our expenses. Securing employment for us is a problem. Most work advertisements says people with disabilities will be given preference, but we are never called or shortlisted,” he said.
Anna Skhosana of the Disability Social Services noted the dissatisfaction of the people and mentioned that it will provide mobile offices in remote areas so that the communities and people with disabilities can get the help they need.
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The acting executive mayor of Ehlanzeni, Cllr Terrance Shabangu, said equity should be enforced in all workplaces.
“To ensure that equal work opportunities are afforded to all, we will see to it that all recruiting agencies and companies abide by work equity. We cannot allow our brothers and sisters to be discriminated against.
The issues of housing will be addressed with the Department of Human Settlement so it can be resolved,” Shabangu said.
