The policy of the provincial government on the question of disability proceeds from the premise that says if society cannot cater for people with disabilities, it is a society that must change. The full participation of people with disabilities in the process of transformation and service delivery is critical. This was said by Dr Molefi Sefularo, MEC for Health in the North West over the weekend. Speaking at the Disability 2000 International Congress held in Klerksdorp, Dr Molefi Sefularo outlined the reality of disability in the province.
Blindness is more prevalent than the other disabilities.
Physically disabled, deaf people and mentally disabled people together constitute a significant percentage of the total disabled population in the province. The MEC noted that most disabled people are unemployed because of prejudice, inadequate training, and the inaccessibility of transport and buildings. They are thus generally excluded from the decision making process. People with disabilities suffer disproportionately from poverty, unemployment and social isolation. Poverty and unemployment are closely linked and for this reason many of the disabled people are affected.