This year’s Disability Day was themed “Create and Realise an Inclusive Society Upholding Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, in line with this theme the Newcastle Municipality has responded and is now focusing its energies on assisting people with disabilities.
The IGR, PP and Social Development Unit within the Newcastle Municipality, in partnership with various stakeholders, commemorated the day on 3 December at the Madadeni Community Hall. This year’s disability awareness month aims to provide a chance for society to eliminate all discrimination barriers and encourage equitable participation of people with disabilities in all spheres of society by including them in all aspects of society.
“It is our responsibility as a municipality to focus conversations on priority areas indicated by the disability sector. To enhance persons with disabilities’ access to and involvement in formal education, the mainstream economy, and more broadly, to encourage people with disabilities’ inclusion in all aspects of life,” said Councillor Skhumbuzo DShabangu.
Newcastle Mayor Xolani Dube has also echoed similar sentiments and said that society should start viewing people with disabilities as equal members of society, encouraging them to change their mindset by saying that they are able instead of disabled.
Mayor Dube further committed that the municipality will also play a critical role in creating user-friendly facilities to cater for everyone and explore means for the municipality to empower more individuals with disabilities. In closing his statement for the day, the Mayor further encouraged people living with disabilities that they can do anything if they focus their energy towards achieving it.
