A better quality of life for people with disabilities

Preparations for the much anticipated Casual Day on 1 September are underway by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).

The theme this year is, Celebrate diversity with persons with disabilities, and the council has partnered once again with Agterplaas bed and breakfast in Melville. This year the public will also have the opportunity to purchase the campaign’s merchandise that includes caps and T-shirts.

The council’s communications and public relations manager Neo Tlaka said their main mission was to create awareness that society needed to help people with disabilities.

“People know Casual Day as only a one-day campaign which entails buying a sticker in order to wear casual clothes on the first day of September,” said Tlake. “Little do people know that it takes a year of preparation leading to the day. We have a number partners who also play an active role in advocating the rights of disabled people.”

He added that one of their long time campaigners was Agterplaas owner and singer Jannie Du Toit, who recently had installed facilities at his bed and breakfast that accommodate people with disabilities.

Du Toit said he was initially inspired to accommodate persons with disabilities at his concerts when he was performing at a music festival 10 years ago.

The organisers had asked what he did to accommodate persons with disabilities at his shows and that was when he realised he needed to do something. He has since incorporated sign language interpreters at his performances which accommodate people with hearing impediments.

“I encourage residents to get involved in this campaign because I believe that everyone should live well. Think about those who have less and show gratitude with what you got by supporting this wonderful cause,” said Du Toit

Details: Casual Day national office 011 609 7006, National Council for Persons with Disabilities 011 452 2774