The City of Johannesburg signed a pledge of allegiance with Persons with Disabilities at the Marks Park Rugby Clubhouse on 6 December.
This was a gathering of Persons with Disabilities and the City of Johannesburg stakeholders, including speakers such as Councillor David Hensman, Councillor Vasco Da Gama and the Bus Rapid Transit System Rea Vaya representatives.
This event was organised in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (which is on 3 December) to make public transport more accessible for disabled public.
Pearl Nkosi, event emcee who also lives with a disability, said it was good to have valuable stakeholders walking the road as they try to address the challenges that face their community daily.
Santaco and Blind SA were also in attendance at the event as was Jace Nair from Blind SA who addressed the audience.
The City signed a pledge on the day as a promise by three stakeholders to support and assist the visually impaired commuters with sight guidance that the taxi industry acquired through a workshop conducted during the World Sight Month in October this year by the City’s Social Development Department Persons with Disability unit.
The topics highlighted at the event by keynote speaker MMC for Health and Social Development Councillor Mpho Phalatse were:
n To include persons with disabilities, as we do other members of our community, as part of our lives, school or in the community and sporting activities
n To work with disability advocacy organisations
n And to support the many areas in which all levels of government and private enterprises are facilitating positive change.
