Independent Democrats Launch National Disability Campaign
2004-05-13. The Independent Democrats today launched its National Disability Campaign with a handover of wheelchairs to two disabled Ottery residents in the Western Cape.
Vincent Gore, MP and the ID's spokesperson on disability issues is
himself wheelchair bound. Gore says that the ID will visit all nine
provinces over the next six months, meeting with disabled individuals
and organisations representing the disabled.
Gerald de Klerk and Shariefa Douglas were the first beneficiaries of Patricia's Wheel Chair Fund. The fund is a component of the ID's campaign aimed at providing assistive devices to disabled individuals that are in desperate need of them. De Klerk, 57 became paralysed in one half of his body after he sustained a stab wound to his eye. He has spent the last 12 years of his life living in his bedroom after his wheelchair was stolen. Douglas, 77 years old, was badly affected in her legs when a doctor prescribed the wrong medication 10 years ago. Her condition is getting progressively worse. Both individuals had approached Patricia de Lille, when she was on the campaign trail in the area before the elections in April and De Lille promised to assist them.
De Lille said that the ID aims to bridge the divides that exist between the disabled and the rest of society. The Independent Democrats have always had a strong disabled friendly stance. Our entire membership database of more than 70 000 forms was captured by the disabled staff of the REABLE centre in Athlone.
Said Gore: South Africa has achieved a great deal in our first decade of democracy. We have gone a long way to addressing the many inequalities of the past and overcoming the racial and gender divides. However, one significant group of people remains distant observers to the South African miracle; people with mobility-, hearing-, visual-, and mental- impairments remain divided from the rest of South African society. Disabled individuals and their families continue to be marginalised and experience unfair discrimination on a daily basis.
Approximately 5 million disabled South Africans are currently disadvantaged, most part of the previously disadvantaged. Although the laws may not be in existence, the consequences of apartheid are still clearly in place when it comes to the disabled community. Disabled people are still fighting for their rights, subjected to what can be compared to the Group Areas Act, as we are forced to live in certain areas or are confined to our homes because of inaccessible transport. We are still subjected to the Separate Amenities Act because of inaccessible buildings and even refused access to beaches. We are prejudiced by Job reservation and exclusion because of employers prejudices and inaccessible offices. Disabled people still experience separate education and Bantustans education because of the widespread inferior special needs education and lack of mainstreaming schooling.
The Independent Democrats Constituency Offices will ensure that advice and guidance will be given to disabled individuals on how to gain access to their rights; on how and where to apply for disability grants, said De Lille. We will also champion the rights of disabled individuals in the court system.
The National Disability Campaign forms part of giving the disabled community a loud voice in Parliament, and we will take up the issues that confront disabled individuals on a daily basis, said De Lille.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the Independent Democrats. For more information contact Vincent Gore on 083 631 6681 or Marlon Kruger on 083 212 2109.
Gerald de Klerk and Shariefa Douglas were the first beneficiaries of Patricia's Wheel Chair Fund. The fund is a component of the ID's campaign aimed at providing assistive devices to disabled individuals that are in desperate need of them. De Klerk, 57 became paralysed in one half of his body after he sustained a stab wound to his eye. He has spent the last 12 years of his life living in his bedroom after his wheelchair was stolen. Douglas, 77 years old, was badly affected in her legs when a doctor prescribed the wrong medication 10 years ago. Her condition is getting progressively worse. Both individuals had approached Patricia de Lille, when she was on the campaign trail in the area before the elections in April and De Lille promised to assist them.
De Lille said that the ID aims to bridge the divides that exist between the disabled and the rest of society. The Independent Democrats have always had a strong disabled friendly stance. Our entire membership database of more than 70 000 forms was captured by the disabled staff of the REABLE centre in Athlone.
Said Gore: South Africa has achieved a great deal in our first decade of democracy. We have gone a long way to addressing the many inequalities of the past and overcoming the racial and gender divides. However, one significant group of people remains distant observers to the South African miracle; people with mobility-, hearing-, visual-, and mental- impairments remain divided from the rest of South African society. Disabled individuals and their families continue to be marginalised and experience unfair discrimination on a daily basis.
Approximately 5 million disabled South Africans are currently disadvantaged, most part of the previously disadvantaged. Although the laws may not be in existence, the consequences of apartheid are still clearly in place when it comes to the disabled community. Disabled people are still fighting for their rights, subjected to what can be compared to the Group Areas Act, as we are forced to live in certain areas or are confined to our homes because of inaccessible transport. We are still subjected to the Separate Amenities Act because of inaccessible buildings and even refused access to beaches. We are prejudiced by Job reservation and exclusion because of employers prejudices and inaccessible offices. Disabled people still experience separate education and Bantustans education because of the widespread inferior special needs education and lack of mainstreaming schooling.
The Independent Democrats Constituency Offices will ensure that advice and guidance will be given to disabled individuals on how to gain access to their rights; on how and where to apply for disability grants, said De Lille. We will also champion the rights of disabled individuals in the court system.
The National Disability Campaign forms part of giving the disabled community a loud voice in Parliament, and we will take up the issues that confront disabled individuals on a daily basis, said De Lille.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the Independent Democrats. For more information contact Vincent Gore on 083 631 6681 or Marlon Kruger on 083 212 2109.
