Tabling the department’s Budget Vote on Friday, Minster for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya said the department during the 2010/2011 financial year will push to attain the 2 percent within government and encourage the private sector to achieve the same target.

She said the disability sector has raised strongly the issue of education and skills development which is important in increasing the opportunity of people with disabilities to engage in economic activities. 

“We will also be working with the Department of Health and other role players to work towards universal access to assistive devices that are essential for independent living and participation in social and economic activities,” Mayende said.

Director for the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Johan Viljoen commended the department, adding that government was not merely at the level of meeting the target.

“We are glad that the department is taking an initiative and will be delighted if the target can be achieved, we will support the department as this need is a very special effort to achieve,” Viljoen told BuaNews.

Viljoen said he was also impressed about the department’s commitment to work on the issue of education and skills development for people with disabilities as there is a shortage of those skills.

Meanwhile, Mayende-Sibiya voiced her concerns about some of the newly built or reconstructed stadiums that have failed to make adequate disability provisions in their plans.

She said that the department was in talks with the Local Organising Committee and SA Disability Alliance with regard to transportation and efforts to improve space available for persons with disabilities in stadiums.

“It is very disturbing that we have to urgently find a solution that will ensure that people with disabilities equally celebrate this historic event,” she said. - BuaNews