Disability Rights Awareness

In commemoration of National Disability Rights Awareness Month, the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) launched the 5km Nappy Run campaign and hosted a fun walk at the Johannesburg Zoo to celebrate the launch on 5 November.
The campaign aims to create awareness of rights and to raise nappies for children with disabilities throughout the country. The campaign will run until International Disability Day on 3 December.
More than 10 000 nappies were collected at the event from individuals, corporates and society groups. The Vodacom Blue Bulls mascot, Bulletjie, made a special appearance on the day and also joined in on the walk with participants.
The winning runner was awarded a brunch voucher for two by the Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff. The best-dressed participant won a Vodacom Blue Bulls T-shirt signed by the rugby team.
“Children with disabilities have a disproportionately high need for nappies due to incontinence associated with various types of disabilities, hence their need for nappies up to an advanced age,” said TherinaWentzel, national director of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa.
“The exclusion, marginalisation of and accessibility for persons with disabilities are paramount challenges within our society. Basic necessities like nappies are not affordable to the majority of families of children with disabilities and many children have to do without them and are deprived of a most basic need.”
The council is a leading disability organisation with 75 years of experience of enabling, supporting and enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.