Disabled want to see council chambers in Secunda more accessible

Disabled people want to see themselves taking decisions and implement what they think the government and others who claim to represent them have failed at.

A new political party known as the Disabled and Older Persons Party (DOPP) has been formed to safeguard interests of the disabled and old.

According to its president, Mr Doctor Mayisela, this action was long overdue because they are not represented politically, whether it is in local, provincial or national government because there is no monitoring when it comes to their needs.

“For example, here at the Govan Mbeki municipal council chamber it is difficult for someone using a wheelchair to access it. Then you ask yourself what was the person who planned this, thinking. That person did not know anything about disabilities.

“Still, the council chamber is not-user friendly to the blind because there’s no Braille. Even on the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings you cannot see even one interpreter for deaf people. Why? Because all councillors are abled.

“We see this as neglect. We also need to be represented by people who understand disability and who are disabled. Someone who can take decisions by looking at himself and see fellow disabled people outside,” said Mr. Mayisela.

“We want to be politically involved. We do not want the politicians’ positions but only to raise our voice,” said a member.

“We want political buy-in, but not the way political parties do. They come to us before the elections and after we vote for them they disappear and wait for another elections to come and use us. We are tired of these politicians.”

He said DOPP is focussing on the next election.

“We have already submitted our papers to the Independent Electoral Commission and we are awaiting a response. We want to see ourselves on a ballot paper because we will be contesting in municipalities around the country.”