The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step
2004-10-20. Much has been achieved with regards to the elimination of unfair discrimination on the basis of race, and to a lesser extent gender, in the past 10 years of our democracy. Unfortunately, disabled individuals and their families, remain effectively excluded from mainstream South African society as a result of unfair discrimination through the failure to reasonably accommodate their physical and mental impairments.
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Discrimination Act, and the
associated Equity Courts gives those that have been unfairly
discriminated against the opportunity to protect and promote their
rights.
A group of respectable people with disabilities have come to stand together and bring about a united front against the unfair discriminatory practices of Nationwide Airlines. We intend to show that Nationwide Airlines unreasonably accommodates people with disabilities and elderly people by being the only airline charging an extra amount as a result of their impairments. These people include Vincent Gore, Member of Parliament for the Independent Democrats, Russel Vollmer, Commodore of the Cape Royal Yacht Club, Neville Cohen, the father of Disability in South Africa and a wheelchair user for over 50 years, Esthe Muller, a prominent disabled Advocate of the Bar, Mandy Latimore, prominent disabled sports woman and an activist.
We have reasonable grounds to believe that our rights have been violated by, and that Nationwide Airlines is discriminating against people with disabilities and the elderly. We also firmly believe that, with our united action, we can and will put an end to this discrimination. Our resolve to bring this matter before the Court of Law has been informed by our principle of "bridging the divides" between the able-bodied and the disabled. We believe in the rule of law. Our understanding and interpretation of the Constitution indeed give us the courage and determination that by seeking this remedy, which we are confident the Court of Law will give, we will indeed replace the prevailing injustices with the good.
"Our united action, which is the first step of this journey of a thousand miles, will indeed lead us to the realisation of this goal. More and people who are, directly or indirectly, affected by the discriminatory behaviour of Nationwide Airlines are embracing our cause. At the end of this journey, we are determined that the divides characterising our society will be bridged and that the Human Dignity, as enshrined in Chapter 2 of our Constitution, will, in the true sense of the word, be respected and protected."
We intend using the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act as an avenue for defending our rights and that of approximately 7 million other disabled South Africans who are still excluded from the mainstream South African Society as the result of this divides.
For further information contact Vincent Gore, MP and ID Spokesperson on Disability Issues, on 083 631 6681
Issued by Thulani Sithole, Media Officer: 084 233 3811 / 021 403 8672
A group of respectable people with disabilities have come to stand together and bring about a united front against the unfair discriminatory practices of Nationwide Airlines. We intend to show that Nationwide Airlines unreasonably accommodates people with disabilities and elderly people by being the only airline charging an extra amount as a result of their impairments. These people include Vincent Gore, Member of Parliament for the Independent Democrats, Russel Vollmer, Commodore of the Cape Royal Yacht Club, Neville Cohen, the father of Disability in South Africa and a wheelchair user for over 50 years, Esthe Muller, a prominent disabled Advocate of the Bar, Mandy Latimore, prominent disabled sports woman and an activist.
We have reasonable grounds to believe that our rights have been violated by, and that Nationwide Airlines is discriminating against people with disabilities and the elderly. We also firmly believe that, with our united action, we can and will put an end to this discrimination. Our resolve to bring this matter before the Court of Law has been informed by our principle of "bridging the divides" between the able-bodied and the disabled. We believe in the rule of law. Our understanding and interpretation of the Constitution indeed give us the courage and determination that by seeking this remedy, which we are confident the Court of Law will give, we will indeed replace the prevailing injustices with the good.
"Our united action, which is the first step of this journey of a thousand miles, will indeed lead us to the realisation of this goal. More and people who are, directly or indirectly, affected by the discriminatory behaviour of Nationwide Airlines are embracing our cause. At the end of this journey, we are determined that the divides characterising our society will be bridged and that the Human Dignity, as enshrined in Chapter 2 of our Constitution, will, in the true sense of the word, be respected and protected."
We intend using the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act as an avenue for defending our rights and that of approximately 7 million other disabled South Africans who are still excluded from the mainstream South African Society as the result of this divides.
For further information contact Vincent Gore, MP and ID Spokesperson on Disability Issues, on 083 631 6681
Issued by Thulani Sithole, Media Officer: 084 233 3811 / 021 403 8672
