OVERVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE OFFICE ON THE STATUS OF DISABLED PERSONS (OSDP)

OVERVIEW

The OSDP has continued to execute its core functions in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and facilitating the creation of an environment for the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities in South Africa. The OSDP executes its core functions in line with the recommendations of the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) and the principles of barrier-free access and self representation by persons with disabilities on all issues of development.

The OSDP has also aligned its strategic objectives with those of the Presidency and also created a vision and mission statement in line with the vision and mission of the Presidency.

VISION:

Realizing the commitment of a better life for all persons with disabilities through excellence in governance.

MISSION:

Ensuring the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities in leading, developing and managing the strategic agenda of Government.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

To strengthen internal OSDP management and leadership capability to achieve organizational cohesion as part of GDC, PCAS and Presidency

To improve management access and sharing of information on OSDP work internally and externally

To co-ordinate monitor, evaluate and communicate government policies and programmes through the implementation of the INDS

To mainstream disability in nation building and giving effect and impetus to the people’s contract

To mainstream disability in the integrated approach to governance for accelerated service delivery

To develop, support and consolidate initiatives for building a better Africa and a better world for all persons with disabilities

To mainstream disability in promoting and accelerating economic growth and interventions towards the integration of the second economy to create jobs and eradicate poverty

CORE FUNCTIONS:

· Policy Work

· Mainstreaming

· Co-ordination

· Monitoring and Evaluation

· Capacity building

· Advocacy

· Liaison and networking

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS

POLICY WORK

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
The OSDP has: Worked with various departments to ensure that their policies are disability inclusive and in line with the recommendations of the INDS Guided policy implementation of the INDS across the public service, ensuring that departments stick to the principles and policy objectives of the INDS Worked with department of Health and Social Development in the development of the disability definition Worked with departments and encouraged them to implement specific programmes, e.g. Code of Good Practice by Labour, Free Health Care by Health, development of the assessment tool for disability grants by Social Development and others OSDP continues to manage and coordinate the Inter-Departmental Collaboration Committee on Disability	Shortage of staff in the Unit particularly with regard to the post of Deputy Director: Policy and Advocacy	Review of the INDS and development of the disability policy Implementation of the disability definition that was approved by Cabinet Policy analysis and research (with Policy Unit)

MAINSTREAMING

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
OSDP continues to work with various departments on implementing key areas of the INDS to ensure mainstreaming of disability through their programmes Continuing to work with DPSA on the review and evaluation of the 2% target for employment of persons with disabilities OSDP conducted research on local government and the implementation of disability related policies within the IDPs Implemented economic empowerment projects to benefit people with disabilities OSDP continues to participate in the drafting of a text of the UN Convention on disability and has participated in 7 sessions of the UN Ad Hoc Committee Facilitated the establishment of the Secretariat and board of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities and worked on the finalization of the Continental Plan of Action OSDP lends support to the African Decade Secretariat	Capacity of focal persons in departments Lack of common understanding of disability mainstreaming among all key role players	Cluster work Work with various departments on specific programmes Implementation of a donor funded Economic Empowerment project Continental and international obligations, e.g. the UN Convention work and work of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities

COORDINATION

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
The OSDP continuously supports the national machinery on equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities OSDP facilitated the establishment of two disability desks, in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Facilitated the establishment and strengthening of disability desks in local government structures and continues to work with SALGA on various local government programmes	All coordinating structures need to be strengthened as they lack capacity Formulation of a uniform working national machinery	Management and coordination of the IDCCD and the Inter-Provincial Forum Restructuring process to strengthen the machinery

MONITORING & EVALUATION

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
Developed Monitoring and Evaluation criteria for assessing government’s delivery on issues of disability and disability specific indicators Began to participate in the policy review for government lekgotla Facilitated inclusion of disability within the Government Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System Participated in the policy review process that informed the GDC Ten Year Review process Created a broad consultation framework with the disability sector to track government’s progress on service delivery Continuous review of reports from departments		Monitoring and Evaluation through cluster work Continuous work on the development of disability indicators Participation in the Dev Info training processes

CAPACITY BUILDING

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
OSDP and SAMDI produced a training manual and implemented a training programme for officials in various departments. 75 officials were trained at national level and 70 in provinces. Training of 35 councilors with disabilities at local government level 13 organizations of people with disabilities were trained in media as well as project management	Updating of training programmes to match international standards	Continuous SAMDI training programme Finalization of a programme to train people with disabilities in 4 areas of electronic media as part of a donor funded project OSDP internal capacity building programme and training within the Presidency

ADVOCACY

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
Implemented the donor funded Awareness Raising project which included the development of a Media Training Manual, training of 13 organizations in media, development of disability Media Policy guidelines and publication of various information products Since 2004 a concerted effort has been made by OSDP for the IDDP event to advance mainstreaming of disability Continuous advocacy work in departments Facilitated advocacy work by civil society organizations in provinces Started with the restructuring process for the OSDP	Getting support from top management in departments on the restructuring process Securing full cooperation from provincial top management in coordinating and executing the IDDP events Financial support for IDDP events by hosting provinces	Publication of a book by writers with disabilities as part of a donor funded project Implementation of Integrated Dance and Visual Arts & Crafts project as part of a donor funded project Planning for the IDDP event for 2006 Restructuring process to strengthen disability machinery

LIAISON AND NETWORKING

Accomplishments	Challenges/Constraints	Active/Current Work
OSDP implemented an empowerment programme for marginalized and smaller groups within the disability sector Established functional working relationships with various institutions, e.g. Human Rights Commission, Development Trust for Disabled Persons, CSIR, Reserve Bank and other development agencies. OSDP has running programmes with these institutions Established good working relationships with civil society organizations Participated and presented papers in various forums	Lack of a functional coordinating structure within the disability sector Weak leadership within the disability rights movement Lack of capacity within civil society organizations	Continuous liaison and interaction with various departments, institutions and civil society organizations