The rationale for the establishment of the OSDP in the highest government office in South Africa was to ensure that it had sufficient access to all government departments and to ensure its positive impact on all government legislation, policies, and programs.

The strategic location of the OSDP in the Presidency has enabled the OSDP to effectively participate in the development of critical legislation, which guides the principles of the government with respect the inclusion and integration of disability.

The OSDP facilitated the processes, which resulted in the publication of the government White Paper on An Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS). This comprehensive document, adopted by the South African Government on the 3 December 1997, calls for a change in approach to the issues of disabled people – from the medical model (which has a welfare approach) to the human rights model (which has a development and social approach)

The South African Government thus adopted and embarked on a program to ensure that the constitutional protection offered to disabled persons in the Bill of Rights became a reality. It also set parameters and gave a commitment to ensure that the rights of disabled people are fully recognised and respected through an effective integration process.

The Office on the Status of Disabled Persons was established to enable government to improve the quality of life of disabled persons and to maximize their potential to contribute actively to all aspects of socio-economic activities.

Vision of OSDP: "A society for all"

To create an enabling environment that will lead to the full participation and the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels of South African society. This includes the right of disabled people to assume their full responsibility as members of society.

To ensure that Government departments fulfil their constitutional responsibility by co-coordinating activities that enable each line function to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities.

• To create an enabling environment that will lead to the full participation and the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels of South African society. This includes the right of disabled people to assume their full responsibility as members of society.
• To facilitate the process of Government departments to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to ensure that, in each line function, concrete steps are taken to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access the same fundamental rights and responsibilities as any other South African.
• To coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) in all government development strategies, programmes and projects.
• To conduct public education in the knowledge, awareness and practice on disability rights.
• To develop capacity for both the disability movement and government departments.

• To facilitate for the mainstreaming of disability into all facets of the South African society through capacity building of the disability movement and government departments.

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• To create an enabling environment that will lead to the full participation and the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels of South African society. This includes the right of disabled people to assume their full responsibility as members of society.
• To facilitate the process of Government departments to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to ensure that, in each line function, concrete steps are taken to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access the same fundamental rights and responsibilities as any other South African.
• To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) in all government development strategies, planning and programmes.
• To conduct public education in the knowledge, awareness and practice on disability rights, as well as capacity building for both the disability movement and government departments.

(Projects presented here are in a summarized form. Detailed reports are available as Appendices.)

• The project to Develop A Position Paper for the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons on International Relations was changed to a document entitled "Guidelines for Self-Representation and Participation in Disability International Forums".
• OSDP continues to contribute extensively to each department on the development of policy, guidelines, norms and standards.

• The department of Education has committed themselves to regular consultation with OSDP in December 2001, to advise on the implementation of the White Paper on Inclusive Education.
• The OSDP critique and input to the audit of all "special" schools has led to people with disabilities being included in the verification process, and independent Sign Language interpreters being included in the interview teams in schools for the Deaf.
• A booklet on learner’s rights for all pupils, including issues specific to learners with disabilities has been initiated by the OSDP, with the project being managed and funded by the department of Education.

• The OSDP attended the ANC study group on Social Security meeting on how improve access to disability grants on the evening of the 4^th June. The Chairperson of the meeting commended the Deputy Director on his input and participation in this meeting.

• The new head of policy in the Department of Transport was extensively briefed on the history and way forward for the Department of Transport's policy and strategy initiatives by the Deputy Director: Change Management.
• Dr. Hubert Ribbens of the CSIR is doing some work with OSDP on road specifications. He has been given several documents, including one on the official guidelines on working with the OSDP and one consulting civil society.

The IDCCD continues to be a key stakeholder in the implementation of the INDS. The following issues have been discussed and agreed upon with the committee.

• The annual report of Departments for 2002, on the status of implementation of the INDS would be the focus of the International Day of People with Disabilities and that the President would be speaking on this at the main celebration.
• That the poor attendance at IDCCD meetings has to be addressed by the OSDP.
• Following on a query at the IDCCD, OSDP held consultations and made extensive additions to meeting minutes on HIV/AIDS issue.

The second meeting of the IDCCD for the year was held on the 12^th of June, and took the following key decisions.

• Those distinctions are made between the different types of structures on disability issues. The following types of structures were identified and their pros and con’s discussed.
• A Disability Forum is a structure where ideas can be shared and can be a good forum for introducing the necessity for a disability Strategy that is based on the INDS and ensuring that the appropriate decision making structures are informed of suggestions to take these forward.
• A Disability Strategy Committee is a structure that would:

• An Employees With Disabilities Structure would mainly address issues affecting such employees. E.g. Ways to obtain reasonable accommodation.
• Invitations can be sent to potential allies to give input. It is recommended that minutes and proposals be sent to the appropriate decision making structures.

The IPF met in Kimberly in April to finalize the strategic plan and review the quarterly reports from January – March 2002. Follow up meetings of this nature will be held during the latter part of the year.

The Free State Province has commenced a process of employing more staff members. The Secretary and Assistant Director posts were advertised during April and the prospective candidates will be interviewed in due course.

The Provincial Plans of Action have been finalized and are presently being implemented. These plans include the following aspects:

• Inclusive education programme
• Enterprise developments
• Rehabilitation and Health Services
• Accessible Public Transport
• National Youth Services Programme i.e. making public building accessible
• Provincial budgets and expenditure and priorities
• Provincial IDCC activities
• Provision of assistive devices
• Employment of people with disabilities in the Public Service
• Co-ordination and implementation plans.

The OSPD participated in the Imbizo programme during April in Gauteng and the Free State. The OSDP accompanied the Minister and the President in visiting workshops, food gardens and community projects, which include people with disabilities. This process will continue in October.

The Provincial Capacity Building Programme is presently continuing and the tender for training provincial OSDP’s was advertised in June. The tender for provincial evaluation of programmes and past training was also advertised in June. Both tender are presently being evaluated and processed and the training programme will be implemented in October this year.

An event will be held for the handing over of certificates of the INDS training. This gives OSDP an opportunity to have coverage on the INDS training. It is envisaged to take place in November/ December this year.

The process of establishing disability units in the Mayoral offices is presently underway in 10 districts and one metro. This process is delayed by the fact that the local government councils do not fall within the scope of the Public Service Act 103 of 1994. This matter will be discussed at the Presidential co-ordinating committee of the Public Service.

The process of integrating disability issues into the integrated Development Plans of the local governments is presently continuing at programme levels. The programme is being implemented in the presidential urban and rural nodes.

The tender for training local councillors with disabilities was advertised in June and is presently being evaluated and processed. This training programme will be implemented in October 2002.

OSDP plans to hold an academic conference on Disability Studies and Human Rights with a view to ensure the inclusion of skills to implement the INDS in all relevant university curricula and of encouraging the establishment of a Disability Studies course at a South African University.

The unit decided that the conference on Disability Studies and Human Rights be held with a view to ensure the inclusion of skills to implement the INDS in all relevant university curricula will take place in Cape Town in February 2003. Nevertheless extensive work on the terms of reference and identifying academic initiatives, which are human rights based have taken place.

OSDP in collaboration with the Southern African Federation on Disability (SAFOD) formulated a task team consisting of South African disability structures and disability formations to study the current status of research and information dissemination within organisations of disabled persons (DPOs) and research institutions in the SADC region. The objective is to share information on the progress that South Africa has made in matters relating to disability. The country of Malawi was targeted as the first country for engagement.

The task team consisted of representatives from the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons in the Presidency, Disabled peoples organisations and national organisations of disabled persons. The representatives included the chairperson of the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Youth, Children and Disabled, three officials of the OSDP, the SAFCD and DPSA.

The activity was implemented over a four-day period, from the 15^th to 19^th April. Interviews were held with the Malawi Ministry on Disability, service providing structures within Malawi, Disabled People’s organisations within Malawi, the High Commission of South Africa to Malawi and the Speaker of the Malawi Parliament.

At present disability seems to be confined within the framework of the disability act and the there is a draft policy on disability on process. What is required is that these policies are able to ensure that it serves as a strategy towards the promotion of integration/inclusivity philosophy in all aspects of the country.

People with disabilities are generally underrepresented in different structures. It is also evident that disabled people do not form part of management in most of the institutions (including the implementing agency of the government MACOHA) as well as other service structure, e.g. rehabilitation. This is due to the lack of a strategy informed by the disability policy.

A policy on the integration of disability coupled with programmes of its implementation is necessary. The approach of this policy should focus at creating an atmosphere of disabled people’s integration/inclusion rather than on the legislative approach only. It is also significant that information is collected and disseminated. This can be achieved through collaboration between stakeholders in and outside the country.

There was a call for writing by women with disabilities. A press release was sent out to all print and radio media. There was coverage by some radio stations and print media such as Sowetan, EP Herald, KFM, Radio Stellenbosch, etc. Our back search on media monitoring will indicate to us how much more media coverage this received.

OSDP staff was responsible for planning and co-ordinating screenings of the People Unlimited series focusing on women’s stories. Screenings were held at the National Women’s Arts Festival in Durban, the Cape WOW Festival in Cape Town, the Art and Soul Festival in Port Elizabeth and the Blind Women’s Celebration in Grahamstown. All events were fairly well attended, although we had hoped for better public attendance. The events went well, with women and girls with disabilities in attendance. Testimonies were very powerful and feedback from the public who attended was very positive. The JHB event was not successful, owing to last minute changes by the Women of the Sun organizers. Information stands were set up at all venues and our information was well distributed. A close working relationship with Provincial OSDP

and DPSA’s was maintained throughout.

A press briefing was prepared, hosted by OSW on women’s day activities for the month and ensured that women with disabilities were represented through the Commission on Gender Equality.

The media officer also represented the OSDP at speaking engagements in Port Elizabeth (guest speaker at women’s day event run by PE Tourism) and Cape Town (guest speaker at Cape Wow festival). The media unit worked as a team and was able to deliver a great deal of work in a short period of time and with a small budget used effectively.

Negotiations were held with the Film Resource Unit, co-ordinators of the Jozi Summit. The Film Festival selected three of our films from the People Unlimited series for the Jozi Summit. This formed part of general publicity of the Jozi Film Summit and was screened in mainstream Nu Metro cinemas on two days.

The Media Unit co-ordinated the opening of an art exhibition with the Visual Arts and Crafts academy, which was launched at the Johannesburg art gallery and is on exhibit for the month. The event was successful and opened by the Minister in the Presidency who was so impressed with the exhibition that he bought work. Excellent media coverage was ensured with SABC and Etv. Print media coverage included Business Day. Media coverage for this exhibition will be ongoing. A catalogue was produced by VACA on the exhibition, Beyond Barriers.

The media unit discovered the services of a media monitoring agency that sets up a website with daily clippings that can be accessed anywhere. A presentation was given and negotiations of payment arrangements with Provisioning. Documentation is being prepared for Sebenzile to sign. This service will also do a back-search to provide us with media coverage from March this year in radio, print and television. This is also a means of evaluating our media campaign.

The media monitoring project of SA have included disability issues in their anti-discrimination unit since the meeting in May and will provide us with a report soon.

Administration staff, responsible for the media room, has been inundated with work to attend to this. We therefore envisage that the media room will be set up by the end of September/mid October. The media unit will also ensure that our key documents will be held in the presidential library. Videos will be kept in the director’s office as she has the necessary equipment there.

A meeting was held with July Twasa in Kimberley to get feedback on the planning for the IDDP celebrations. Unfortunately the planning process has been very slow on the part of the Northern Cape planning committee. A meeting has been scheduled between OSDP, NC-OSDP represented by July Twasa, SAFCD and DPSA on September 20. Mr Twasa has assured OSDP that the required documentation will have reached our offices by September 12. The meeting in Cape Town is for key role-players to discuss the IDDP and lead up events. The agenda includes a presentation by NC-OSDP, OSDP role (cultural programme and publicity), role of SAFCD and DPSA. It will also look into the future of IDDP.

OSDP has committed to a specific role in the process to include:

• The development of a cultural program to include:
• Exhibitions (art and photographic), Poetry by people with Disabilities, Jazz by Bekezela Jazz band and Judith Sephuma, Integrated Dance and Deaf Drama.
• For media and publicity of the event.
• The launch of the Situational Analysis Report on the day.
• An updated document is being prepared, which will have to be available by the end of October to allow for a foreword from the Minister, design, layout and printing by Dec 3.
• OSDP will also be responsible for exhibition stands on extracts from the IDDP, brochures and a newsletter on the year’s accomplishments of the OSDP.

The Northern Cape - OSDP office is responsible for all logistical arrangements such as transport, venue, equipment, invitations, etc. They will also host a party on the evening of December 3- to be dedicated to Neville Cohen, who is celebrating 50years on a wheelchair.

The media officer attended a reference group meeting on the planning of the national DACST conference on access, awareness and arts to be held in late November. OSDP will launch our historical doc at the conference and also host an international film festival on disability using films acquired in Moscow. OSDP is assisting in publicity for this event.

A call for reports on awareness raising by role-players will be sent out this week. The final report will be distributed at IDDP

The media officer has been preparing plans for the trip to Moscow, where she will represent SA at a media and disability conference.

OSDP and the Human Rights Commission will be launching the access report at an event run by OSDP Western Cape on access to be held in October.

The media officer is proposing that the OSDP provides seed funding to awareness raising activities that requires funds to begin fundraising. One of these projects is a request from Challenge Productions, an integrated film company that envisages doing inserts for TV. They‘re requesting an amount of R25 000 and the media officer is supportive of their venture. This allows for the OSDP to be a partner in a TV series at minimal cost. It is also a very effective media campaign. Funds will only be disbursed to them once they have secured full funding for their project.

The media unit will be working with the national aids council and projects such as Love life to ensure that there is adequate media coverage around people with disabilities and Aids.

The media officer is on the media reference team to ensure that children with disabilities are very visible during the ORC’s campaign. The event is scheduled for late October.

The media officer completes her contract at the end of December and plans to work independently. She has requested the OSDP to look into a part time contract with her for next year. The OSDP should soon be looking into recruiting staff for the following two years of the media unit’s programme, which will be functional with the Flemish funding.

• Set up media monitoring website
• Set up media room
• Meeting with NCape OSDP re: IDDP
• Meeting with Elvis Ntombela re: photographic exhibition
• Meeting with DACST reference group re: conference
• Meeting with MTN re: sponsorship for awards event
• Meeting with ad agency re: coverage
• Meeting HRC re: access conference
• Meetings with ORC re: Child’s rights month
• Meeting with FRU and NFVF re; film festival for DACST
• Requests to various media for special coverage on IDDP
• Update on book launch
• Write paper for Moscow and preparation for Moscow
• Sort out issues with finance re: payments
• Update media unit budget
• Update media unit action plan and send to Minister and activity budget
• Attend international conference on film and media in Moscow.
• Responses to Voice! Project
• Continued publicity for Voice! and for art exhibition
• Call for reports from OSDP staff for newsletter submissions.

• Access conference: HRC
• Communications Campaign: Children’s Rights Month
• Facilitate funding for Challenge Productions and Kentridge exhibition
• Prep for IDDP and December events (incl. Aids day)
• Continued work on Voice! Project
• Complete setting up of media room

• Launch of final phase of Voice! Project
• Prep for IDDP and Dec events
• Major media driven campaign
• Dasct conference: (incl. Book launch and international film fest)
• Preparation and printing of newsletter and all publicity material required for IDDP
• Participation in women’s indaba (OSW)
• Submit tenders for Flemish funding

• Continued communications campaign
• Awareness raising reports
• Continued communications campaign
• Event on economic empowerment
• Event on INDS training certificates
• Media Analysis
• Way forward for media officer
• Evaluation of media unit
• Wrap Up

• To develop and establish best practice by suppliers of services to the SMME sector to have entrepreneurs with disabilities receiving the appropriate services to succeed.
• To ensure the mainstreaming of people with disabilities in the government subsidised services to SMMEs.
• To pilot the above in a process of making the protective workshop system within the Disability sector, meet the recommendations of the Integrated National Disability Strategy, thereby achieving economic empowerment for people with disabilities in a more cost effective way.

The project is characterized by a combination of consolidating the plans for the Project Rollout Phase following initial research on needs analysis conducted by OSDP.

• The timelines were adjusted due to problems occurring with the finalisation of the scope of the tender, and methodology that had to be altered.
• Meetings were held with public and private sector stakeholders to further develop the implementation of the transformation of Protected and Sheltered Workshops (PSWs). Discussions were held with various stakeholders within the context of the transformation of PSWs.
• The Research Sample has been finalized with the Thabo Mbeki Development Trust for Disabled Persons. The OSDP Project Manager participated in a preliminary screening of the sample frame via Preliminary Questionnaire.
• The research rollout had to be adjusted to the second half of this year and is now in progress and managed by the Project Manager: Economic Empowerment (OSDP).

B. Provincial Administration:

• The meeting with the Ministers to obtain ministerial and departmental buy-in has never been held due to difficulties in ensuring appointments with relevant Ministries.
• Operational support from the different departments; i.e. Department of Labour and Social Development has been very poor.
• Time to develop the Implementation Phase fully for the rest of the year that goes beyond the calendar year of 2002 has not been possible due to uncertainties regarding future funding of the project.

• Understanding the constraints of the timing of the Research and Implementation Phases.
• Recommending that the Ministerial meeting takes place, in order for inter-departmental buy-in and implementation to take place
• Develop the relationship with the Swedish South African Business Partnership Fund.
• The Black Economic Empowerment and NEPAD responses by government are implemented with the OSDP input.
• Explore the Pan-African and European relationships develop to ensure sustainable business-to-business contracts for the disability sector, in the long run with Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, UK (in particular Scotland and Wales), France, Belgium (Flemish Government), Japan and Australia.

The OSDP participated in the WSSD processed as part of the SA government delegation. The main aim of the OSDP participation was to ensure that disability issues become an integral part of WSSD discussions and input by South Africa.

The OSDP participated in this process in partnership with civil society through the disability caucus that was part of the global forum. The disability caucus was able to participate in the political declaration discussions as well as the Johannesburg plan of action coming from the global forum.

The OSDP participated in the activities of the logistics committee convened by the Johannesburg World Summit Company and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The South African Federal Council and Disabled People South Africa also participated in the logistics committee to ensure that accessible transport and accommodation were available for delegates.

The OSDP contributed positively towards the content of the draft implementation plan and the political declaration, which was an output of the Summit.

Issues of importance highlighted in the preparatory committee meetings prior to the Summit were amongst that were under discussion included amongst others: Poverty eradication, Water and Sanitation, Energy, Health, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Trade, Finance, Technology Transfer, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS.

The exchange programme between South African and Swedish DPO’s was very well planned by the SAFCD. They ensured that the visit of the Swedish delegation was successful. OSDP hosted the delegation at the Union Building and gave input on the function and achievements of the IDCCD.

OSDP transferred final tranche of money to SAFCD for last phase of Exchange Programme.

The Website Project, in which DPSA is co-operating with SHIA to implement, has been set up. OSDP has congratulated them and made suggestions for improvements, which were well received.

The strategic objective of DPSA is to organise and mobilise people with disabilities into a solid, unified and a formidable force which will lobby, advocate and ensure the transformation of society aimed at achieving equity and equal opportunities which will ultimately lead to the total participation, inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities in the economical, political, technological and social sphere of development.

This process has and still remains a challenge not just for persons with disabilities alone but for society in general because disability is not only the issue of an individual and his/her family alone but also rather an issue for the society.

This is primarily because if people with disabilities are denied opportunities and services they end up relying entirely on the State and persons around them resulting in dependency, negative attitudes and perceptions, and unnecessary stereotypes which lead to degrading, stigma, and a total disrespect for their human rights

The following key performance indicators will verify the achievement of the development objective:

• A strong and capacitated organisation with access to resources and established management and governance structures at all levels of operation.
• Integration of disability programmes into the programmes of government and structures of civil society.
• Increased number of disabled people accessing their social, political and economic rights.

The success of the programme will be measured through an impact evaluation, of the social, political and economic status of the membership of the organisation.

The United Nations has started a process to develop an International Convention on Rights and Dignity of Disabled Persons in response to the resolutions of the 57^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA57). The first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee responsible for coordinating and drafting of the Convention convened at the U.N. in New York, from 29^th July to 9^th August 2002.

This is a process aimed at producing a standard setting, legally binding instrument on persons with disabilities. It follows the initiative by Mexico, which did pioneering work over the last two years, which culminated in the establishment of this Ad Hoc Committee.

South Africa is a co-sponsor of General Assembly Resolution 56/168 and the Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2002/61, both addressing the historical background and context in which the United Nations and Member States have been active to promote the human rights of persons with disabilities. These resolutions, however, have clearly identified the need for further actions to ensure the implementation of commitments made in the past. South Africa has committed to support a universal legally binding and enforceable instrument, which promotes and protects the rights of all persons with disabilities.

In addition, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, called upon all Member States to take the necessary measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

Subsequently, after almost twenty years of serious reflection at the international level on the disability issue, the time is opportune for all to agree on a Convention, which will protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities. It is a fact that even though collectively, all the documents that have been produced at the international level on this issue, which sadly do not have the force of law, will be useful in guiding the process of drafting an international convention.

The situation of disabled people in Africa differs from one country to the other. However, there is nowhere in Africa where disabled people are fighting for privileges. All disabled people on the continent are fighting for basic human rights and necessities. There are also, similarities in the general condition of disabled people on the continent.

It is important to recognise the role of governments as being ultimately responsible for the well being of disabled people in each country. Several

African countries have developed instruments to address disability issues. These include policies, strategies, programs, projects and plans. However their effectiveness is to a large extent questionable. Disabled persons continue to be on the receiving end. The majority of government initiatives have focused on service delivery with a medical and welfare approach. These perspectives have failed disabled people immensely.

Disabled people require a clear commitment that is underwritten by the provision of resources aimed at improving their conditions by recognising their rights. Well-intentioned policy statements and rhetoric alone will not improve the conditions of disabled people on the continent.

The role that disabled persons play in the struggle for the promotion and respect of their rights and dignity remains an unchallenged opportunity for the successful development and implementation of development programs.

1983 - 1992 saw the United Nations Decade of disabled persons, the period in which UN member States were expected to implement the World Programme of Action Concerning People with Disabilities. The idea of the decade came up in response to the need for a concerted effort to improve the quality of life of disabled people the world over.

At the mid-term review of the Decade it was observed that the Decade encountered problems:

1. The United Nations Decade was not well publicised by the UN and some governments, though signatory to the UN Resolution did nothing to promote the Decade.
2. The UN itself and many governments did not provide adequate funding for Decade activities.
3. No specific fund was established by the UN for the Decade, as was the case with the UNIFEM Decade (Women’s Decade).

In April 1999, the OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission meeting in Namibia recommended that the period 1999-2009 be proclaimed as the African Decade of Disabled Persons. On 3rd December 1999, the Disability Movement in Africa officially declared 2000 – 2009 the African Decade of Disabled Persons.

The recommendation from the OAU Namibia meeting was formally adopted by the 23^rd session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission in Algeria in April 2000 and endorsed by the OAU Council of Ministers and Assembly of Heads of State and Government respectively, in Togo in July 2000. The Heads of States made a very strong proclamation at this meeting in support of the Decade showing a high level of awareness and commitment to full participation, equality and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Africa.

Thus, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) proclaimed the ten years ending 31 December 2009 as the Africa Decade of Disabled People (ADDP).

At a Nordic meeting on the Disability Dimension in Nordic Development Cooperation in Copenhagen in December 2000, PAFOD and representatives from DPOs in Uganda and South Africa met to discuss and promote the Decade.

The Nordic Development Cooperation Ministers were approached by the African delegates through a joint statement requesting the Nordic countries to inform their respective governments, particularly diplomatic missions abroad, about the African Decade and to realign their development cooperation programs in order to better contribute to the aims of the African Decade.

Most importantly, the Ministers were asked to focus on influencing multi-lateral institutions for support to the implementation of the African Decade. The statement further requested that specific development initiatives be supported to include the following:

1. Capacity building of organisations of disabled persons (DPOs), particularly the development of advocacy and lobbying skills.
2. Institutional development of organisations of disabled persons.
3. Affirmation of disability, as a human rights issue.
4. Eradication of poverty amongst citizens with disabilities.
5. Active support of interventions, which address disability in on-going crises such as the HIV-AIDS pandemic, in natural disasters and in war conflicts.
6. Support of the development of organisations of disabled women, the girl-child and mothers of disabled children.

The Ministers all demonstrated their commitment to include disability issues in development co-operation and especially in multilateral programs. The Swedish Minister specifically promoted the idea of the African Decade and called for its support.

The OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission at its 22^nd Ordinary session held in Windhoek, Namibia in April 1999 recommended that the period 1999 – 2009 be proclaimed as the African Decade of Disabled Persons. The recommendation which is contained in the Secretary – General report CM/2112 (LXX) was adopted by the 23^rd Session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission in Algiers, Algeria, April 2000, and Endorsed by the 72^nd Session of the OAU Council of Ministers and 36^th Assembly of Heads of State and Government respectively, in Lome, Togo in July 2000 (Decision CM/Dec. 535(LXXII) Rev.1).

The adoption of the African Decade of Disabled Persons (herein referred to as the Decade) means that the Decade Programme of activities needs to be implemented by:

• Government Line Ministries and Departments;
• Disabled Peoples Organisations;
• Non-Governmental Organisations;
• International organisations, including United Nations Agencies; and OAU Specialised Agencies;
• Individuals committed to the full participation equality and empowerment of people with disabilities in the African continent.

Thus, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) proclaimed the ten years ending 31 December 2009 as the Africa Decade of Disabled People (ADDP).

The OAU Resolution identifies the role of states as:

1. Formulation and implementation of national policies and programmes to promote the participation of persons with disabilities in economic and social development.
2. Establishing and strengthening of national co-ordinating committees on disability matters, with emphasis on, inter alia, the adequate and effective representation of disabled persons, and their organisations, and their roles therein.
3. Provision of assistance, in collaboration with international development

agencies and non-governmental organisations, in enhancing community-based support services for disabled persons and the extension services to their families.

4. Promotion of special efforts to foster positive attitudes towards children and adults with disabilities, and the undertaking of measures to improve their access to rehabilitation, education, training and employment, cultural and sports activities and the physical environment.

The Decade provides a unique opportunity for South Africa to contribute to efforts to improve the lives of disabled people on the African Continent. The Decade also provides the country with an even bigger and broad-based opportunity to highlight the successes made in South Africa and to explore ways of dealing with the constraints encountered so far in the service delivery process.

The African Decade of Disabled People will be implemented on the African continent for a period of ten years. It is essential that South Africa develops an internal strategy, linked to national, provincial and local government levels, for the implementation of the provisions of the Decade.

There is a great need to link the provision of the Decade resolution to the current and future disability policy environment in the country.

South Africa's contribution to the implementation of the Decade on the African continent will no doubt be linked to regional and continental initiatives such as the SADC and other similar protocols, and the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), among others.

It is essential that a suitable theme for the Decade be adopted in order to guide the implementation process.

The main process that will guide South Africa's intervention will be as follows:

• Political empowerment of disabled people (within and outside South Africa) including the provision of trained political advisors.
• Facilitating parliament-to-parliament exchange of visits and strategies for implementation of the Decade.
• Training programme targeted at key political figures within and outside of South Africa.
• Formulating a calendar of events linked to various political processes including the launch of the Africa Union.
• Establishment of different, well-co-ordinated fora to deal with specific issues related to the Africa Decade.

The African Decade of Disabled People will be implemented on the African continent for a period of ten years. It is essential that South Africa should develop an internal strategy, linked to national, provincial and local government levels, for the implementation of the provisions of the Decade.

There is a great need to link the provision of the Decade resolution to the current and future disability policy environment in the country. South Africa's contribution to the implementation of the Decade on the African continent will no doubt be linked to regional and continental initiatives such as the SADC and other similar protocols, and the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and the Africa Recovery Plan (ARP) among others.

It is essential that a suitable theme for the Decade be adopted in order to guide the implementation process. In line with the key anchor areas (education, training and employment) and national priorities in South Africa, each government department should develop specific objectives, outputs and activities linked to their mandates.

The strengthening and capacitating of key government units (OSDPs, Special Programmes Units, etc) is crucial for the monitoring and evaluation processes linked to the implementation within departments.

Outputs and activities relevant to all departments include the following:

• Humans Resource-ensuring that a certain percentage of personnel (e.g. 5%) of employed civil servants are disabled people.
• Awareness raising work within and outside departments.
• Affirmative procurement policies in line with government policies.
• Monitoring and evaluation-providing feedback to OSDPs on the implementation of the INDS and other policies on disability.
• Universal access to services and physical environment for disabled people.

Within South Africa, the scope of intervention should be linked to all levels of government, including the emerging local government structures. Provincial and national government departments should play a critical role in:

• Formulating and implementing policies and including disability in departmental strategic plans.
• Providing fiscal and human resources to achieve disability outputs.

In seeking to implement the provisions of the OAU Proclamation on the Decade, government departments should work together and develop strategies as follows:

These are disability strategies that are linked to the mandates of each government department. These strategies will be implemented in South Africa at local government, provincial and national levels.

Internal strategies could also include the implementation of niche activities (e.g. specific events, pilots projects with Africa Decade themes) to promote the ideas of the Africa Decade Proclamation.

As far as possible and within the mandates of each department, activities of a continental nature should be planned and implemented.

All these activities will be complimented by other activities that will be undertaken at political levels and by civil society organisations. The ADDP provides a unique opportunity for South Africa to contribute to efforts to improve the lives of disabled people on the African Continent. The Decade also provides the country with an even bigger and broad-based opportunity to highlight the successes made in South Africa and to explore ways of dealing with the constraints encountered so far in the service delivery process.

The continental objective of the Decade has been identified as: Giving fresh impetus to the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in Africa beyond 1992 and strengthening regional (co-operation) to resolve issues affecting the achievement of the goals of the World Programme of Action, especially those concerning the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities, as well as those contained in the UN Standard Rules on Equalisation of Opportunities for people with disabilities which relates to Education, training and employment.

In South Africa, the long-term objective of the Decade will be linked to the objectives of the INDS and other disability policies. The aim should be to achieve a society for all and:

• To enhance the equality of life, full participation and empowerment of disabled persons in all spheres of life.
• To integrate disabled people in all key sectors of governance and development using the African Decade proclamation and other policy instruments as guidelines.

It is clear from the foregoing that the implementation of the provisions of the Decade Proclamation can be made possible by achieving the objectives of the:

• World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled People (WPACDP).
• Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Disabled People and
• INDS and other disabilities policies, in the case of internal implementation strategies for South Africa.

The OAU Proclamation further places special emphasis on core strategies to promote Education, Training and Employment.

This is undoubtedly the prerogative of parliamentarians and OSDP can merely advise on a strategy.

• The networking with regional parliamentary institutions as seen as a major need to be implemented as part of the Decade.
• The training in local politics is essential as well. Using examples and models of how it has been effected in South Africa; those same examples and models could be used for similar exercises with counterparts on the continent.
• See Annexure with detailed suggested strategy.

In 1996 a new constitution of the Republic of South Africa was passed. This legislative framework not only extended basic human rights to all citizens in South Africa but also outlawed unfair discrimination against any person on a number of grounds. One of these was disability. The Constitution further recognised and provided for the creation of equity through extending the rights and freedoms it created to all people in the country and by recognising the need to implement specific measures to address historical disadvantage. These provisions in the Constitution have provided the basis for important legislative and policy changes over the last five years that either directly or indirectly impact on the lives of people with disabilities or create opportunities to address the inequalities that they have experienced in the past.

While the inclusion of disability in the Constitution is important for our country’s legal and human rights framework, it also marked an important milestone in the struggle of disabled people in South Africa to overcome their previous exclusion from mainstream society and enjoy equal opportunities and rights. As an ‘historical moment’ in the history of the disability rights movement in South Africa, the Constitution’s recognition of disability reflected the culmination of significant struggles towards the protection of the right of people with disabilities to be treated equally with all other people in our society. However, it was also a beginning point for new struggles. It has provided the basis from which many new and often, more complex struggles have been waged. These changes have primarily been aimed at overcoming the social and economic barriers that have resulted in conditions of widespread poverty and marginalisation for the majority of disabled people in South Africa.

This document is a record of these struggles and is aimed at informing people inside and outside the disability movement about the people, activities, strategies, interventions and decisions, which have shaped where we find ourselves today. The information used to compile this record has been collected through a small research project undertaken by Disabled People South Africa for the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons. Through a research process that included interviews with a sample of key activists involved in making this history, and by analysing important documents from this period, the organisation has aimed to put together a "picture" that can be used to reflect on where we have come from and what can be learnt from this history to inform where we want to go to in the future.

Although it is important to recognise that people with disabilities in South Africa have been struggling on a number of levels and often in many unrecognised ways for many years to obtain their rights, in this project we have chosen to focus on the last twenty years. This has been arguably the most significant period in the disability rights struggle and moreover in the struggle for democracy in South Africa. While isolating this period of our history for this study, we acknowledge the many struggles that went before and those that will continue until people with disabilities occupy their equal and rightful place in society.

As with any small project or this nature, there have been a number of limitations to the research process. Thus the ‘picture’ that has been drawn in this document can only reflect the interpretations and understandings of the small sample of people interviewed and the documents analysed. There are a number of people whom the research team was unable to reach or consult with, either as a result of time constraints or for other reasons that are inevitable to a project of this nature. While these limitations need to be acknowledged, it is hoped that this small study will still provide the impetus for a more in depth and substantial investigation into the history of the disability rights movement in South Africa. For now, we hope that this document will go some way towards recording a rich history of people’s struggles towards overcoming injustice and building democracy.

The study has also focused largely on the history of the disability movement in South Africa through the eyes of the activists who came into the movement through Disabled People South Africa (DPSA). While DPSA has certainly been at the forefront of this struggle it is also recognised that many smaller organisations and individuals outside of the formal structures have contributed to shaping this history and to bringing about the changes that we see today. Although it has not been possible within the scope of this project to discuss all these contributions and interventions, we hope that these people will regard this as their history too and continue to work with DPSA within the broader disability rights movement in South Africa.

The OSDP participated and contributed to the development of documents for submission to the workshop. A final draft was submitted after a two-day workshop convened by the policy unit of the ANC.

The Mafeking resolution sets the parameters and commitment of the ruling party to ensure that the rights of disabled people are fully respected through an effective integration process as stipulated in the White Paper on the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS). This comprehensive document, adopted by the Government on the 3 December 1997, calls for a change in approach to the issues of disabled people – from the medical model to the human rights/development model.

The Government thus adopted and embarked on a program to ensure that the constitutional protection offered to disabled persons in the Bill of Rights became a reality. In order to implement the integration of disabled people into mainstream society, the government instituted the Office on the Status of Disabled Persons: (OSDP).

1. The government of South Africa has developed numerous policies during the post-independence period (i.e., post-1994). However, most of these policies do not address the needs of persons with disabilities. Policies that were found to integrate or include persons with disabilities are generally not translated to strategies and programmes that seek to integrate people with disabilities into mainstream society. Departmental programmes are thus mainly based on the medical model of disability, which fosters the isolation of people with disabilities, and not in line with the principles of the INDS.
2. Despite having a policy and legislative environment that is conducive to disability integration, most departments do not have disability integration strategies. Availability of such strategies is fundamental to mainstreaming persons with disabilities as they create an enabling environment for disability integration and inclusion. Such strategies would also form the basis for developing public awareness campaigns and for building the capacity of staff for disability integration.
3. Budgetary allocations for initiatives that benefit persons with disabilities are generally inadequate and do not permit meaningful execution of initiatives. In addition, budgetary allocations are primarily based on the medical model of disability, which promotes the isolation of disabled people. In order to promote the social model there is need to educate officials responsible for budgetary issues, as there is usually a tension between the medical and social models of disability.
4. There is a paucity of disability research and information in government departments. Information that is sometimes available is neither comprehensive nor up-to-date. Reliable research is necessary to inform policy formulation and programme execution and evaluation.
5. Government departments are putting very little effort in creating public awareness about disability. In addition, departments have not developed comprehensive strategies for creating awareness about disability issues and disability integration among staff.
6. There is generally very little or no capacity for integrating disability issues in government departments. The training of government officials in the execution of the INDS is a critical component of disability integration. Failure to train government officials may result in their being ill equipped to implement the INDS recommendations. In order to provide officials with vital knowledge and skills and to enable them to effectively and efficiently plan and implement disability inclusive initiatives, OSDP ran a modular training workshop. Most participants of the workshop found it very useful, particularly in creating awareness about disability issues on one hand, and about the OSDP and the INDS on the other hand.
7. Government departments do not strategically involve Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs) in the formulation and implementation of departmental initiatives. In order to ensure disability integration, DPOs should be meaningfully engaged not only in policy development but also in the execution and evaluation of initiatives.
8. The progress made in the employment of people with disabilities has been very poor. About half of the departments included in the study have employed less than 1% of disabled people, which is significantly lower than the stipulated 2% quota within the public service. In addition, the majority of departments employing persons with disabilities do not make adequate employment accommodations for them. Accommodations that are commonly made are improving physical access to buildings, provision of special equipment and furniture, and the modification of the workspace. Furthermore, employees with disabilities tend to occupy very low-level positions. None of the departments reported employing a person with a disability in a senior management position. This implies that persons with disabilities are excluded from participating in decision-making and in influencing the manner in which they are viewed and serviced.
9. There is a great need for barrier free access. Virtually all national government department buildings are in one way or the other inaccessible to people with disabilities due to structural barriers in the built environment and poor interior design. Common improvements in the built environment to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities are the construction of ramps and the installation of Braille signage. Toilets are for the most part inaccessible to people using wheelchairs because steps usually have to be used to gain access to them. Even in cases when they are easily accessible, a person using a wheelchair because they do not allow for easy maneuverability cannot utilize them. Government departments must prioritize the issue of right to access. Concrete plans are needed instead of the apparent inactivity.
10. Disability prevention has not progressed beyond the general rhetoric stage. Only three departments reported having initiatives that contribute to the prevention of disability, these being the Departments of Health, Labour and Transport. However, in the case of Transport disability prevention is a by-product of programmes at preventing the high death toll due to road accidents.
11. Rehabilitation services are predominantly based in the Departments of Health and Welfare. The Department of Labour has some vocationally oriented rehabilitation programmes. Rehabilitation services are still primarily based on the medical model of disability, though the Department of Health is shifting toward the community based rehabilitation strategy.

The OSDP attended the first General Assembly of the World Federation of the DeafBlind from 6-18 October 2001. The objective of the conference was to establish an internationally recognised federation inn partnership with DeafBlind international. The federation drew up its first constitution and elected its first council consisting of representatives from different continents.

The OSDP participated in the Conference as part of the SA delegation in partnership with DeafBlind South Africa. The objective of the exercise was to gather knowledge and experience on issues affecting DeafBlind people. These include: the identification of DeafBlind children and adults, education and literacy, inclusion in decision making processes, development programmes, therapy, mobility, orientation and assistive technology for DeafBlind people.

Interactive seminar discussions were held with government officials from other countries and information regarding programmes for DeafBlind people was exchanged. The outcomes of the conference had a positive impact on the OSDP programme for Marginalised Disability Groups, which includes DeafBlind People.

There has been reasonable progress in the programme since the Congress and DeafBlind South Africa has began the process of developing their Advocacy plans.

An agreement has been reached with the Flanders Government for a Flemish Partnership specifically targeted to develop, promote and support an OSDP Awareness Raising Campaign.

The socio-economic and human rights of disabled persons in South Africa has been acknowledged at a political level in the Constitution and in subsequent national policy papers, legislation and programmes. Since 1994, South Africa has emerged, on the international stage, as one of the leaders on disability issues. However, within the country, what has not significantly changed are attitudes towards disabled persons and creating the environment for their full and active participation in all aspects of social and economic life. The changing of attitudes has two prongs: changing the attitudes of disabled persons towards themselves from one of dependency to independence; and changing the public’s perception of the abilities of disabled persons. This awareness-raising project aims to contribute to changing these attitudes in order to improve the quality of life of disabled persons and maximise the gains already made in this regard.

The project is designed to contribute to realising the intention of the Constitution and related policies and programmes that guarantee an improved quality of life for disabled persons. Specifically, OSDP’s mandate derives from the White Paper on an Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS), which includes the responsibility of public education and awareness raising. The OSDP, a national structure located in the Presidency, is able to ensure, not only that the campaign itself is co-ordinated, but also that it is reflective of government’s co-ordinated (inter-governmental, with other sectors of society, etc) and individual programmes. It will initially run for a period of 1 year starting 1^st November 2002. OSDP hopes to be accorded continued support for the forthcoming years.

The current cycle ends in December 2002. Negotiations for continued support continue to be done. Latest visit in September will provide further clarity on the position of the Swedish government on the negotiations.

This is a key component that will determine the successful continuation of projects that the unit is running. This will lead to the successful implementation of the INDS.

The OSDP continues to expand its projects as stakeholder continuously identifies the needs. Due to the emergence of new programs such as NEPAD, development of the Convention, implementation of the African Decade, HIV/AIDS and how it relates to disability to name a few, they staffing continues to be a major drawback to the successful development of a national program. The scope of activities covered is highly limited due to resource constraints. The current freeze in government recruitment will slow down the delivery of services for disabled persons. Three of the current staff component is on contracts funded by donor funding. These contracts end in December 2002 and no recruitment can be done to replace the officers.

OSDP continues to experiences problems associated with delays in the processing of tenders and other professional services we require via the Provisioning Unit of The Presidency. This has resulted in many projects being delayed and also in OSDP losing the valuable services of service provides because of the long delays for their payments to be made. This has been brought to the attention of the Minister and the Director General. Their interventions have helped for specific cases to be resolved but the bigger picture of delay remains much the same.

Through the financial support of SIDA, OSDP was fortunate to be able to secure services of consultants for some of our work. This is attributed to the fact that whilst OSDP is a national program, the staff component is very lean. The SIDA project was designed to complement the efforts of OSDP through use of consultants. However due to the position that government has regarding the use of consultants, OSDP is continuously queried on the matter. OSDP continues to give the reasons and logic as per the original agreement of the two governments.

OSDP provides regular information via telephone, letters, faxes, email, consultations, etc to the South African community, regional community and International community on all disability related issues. These include: referrals for sources of funding for CSO and NGO. Referrals for policy issues, referrals on strategic issues, general advise on liaisons with international disability movements and potential funders. South Africa is highly respected for the role it has played and that it continues to play in the international field as one of the most developed and successful pioneers in the disability field. As a result of this perspective, SA is called upon to provide guidance from all over the world on disability issues.

The OSDP currently implements one of the most successful programs in the world, which is designed to improve and enhance the lives of disabled persons in South Africa. With the necessary resources the unit has the potential to provide a first class service that will go a long way to addressing the issue of disabled persons and thus greatly contribute to the realization of "the African Dream" of a politically, socially and economically independent people. The unit looks forward to the continued support of the JMC to provide for the necessary resources to enable disabled persons in South Africa to be a powerful and effective component of a vibrant society. This contribution towards the upliftement of a "target" population will lead to the emergence of a healthy and sustainable economy in South Africa, which will be the envy of the world.

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