Disability rights: the urgent need for meaningful inclusion

EQUAL ACCESS’

- NADIA KHAN [e-mail]

AS SOUTH Africa observes National Disability Rights Awareness Month, disability rights advocates highlight the persistent gaps between policy and practice.

Despite progressive legislation, people with disabilities continue to face barriers in education, employment, transport and housing.

Experts call for practical implementation of inclusive policies, and systemic changes to create genuine accessibility rather than mere compliance.

Veetha Sewkuran, president of the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society, said people with disabilities continued to face numerous barriers to full inclusion.

These include limited access to quality education and training, which affected their employability and career growth.

“Many workplaces remain physically inaccessible, and lack assistive technology or reasonable accommodation. Discrimination and stigma also persist, leading to fewer job opportunities and limited participation in mainstream sports, recreation and social activities.

“Public transport, infrastructure and communication systems are still not fully inclusive, which further isolates people with disabilities, and restricts their independence,” she said.

Sewkuran said while progress had been made through legislation such as the Employment Equity Act, and initiatives promoting disability rights, not enough was being done in practice.

“Implementation is inconsistent, and many organisations treat inclusion as a compliance issue rather than a genuine commitment to equality. There is a gap between policy and real-life accessibility, both in workplaces and in communities.

“Awareness and understanding of disability inclusion remain low, particularly in rural areas.”

Sewkuran added there needed to be a stronger focus on practical implementation of inclusive policies.

“Employers should be encouraged and supported to create accessible workplaces and provide reasonable accommodations.