December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Today is International Day for Persons with Disability. According to the United Nations, many people with disabilities continue to experience poverty and depravation. 

A number of activities will be held across South Africa. Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Tshwane Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa will address the provincial event in Pretoria.  

In a statement released to mark the day, UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon says people with disabilities continue to experience higher rates of poverty and depravation and are twice as likely to lack health care.  Ban Ki Moon says employment rates of persons with disabilities in some countries are as low as one-third of that of the overall population. The secretary general says persons with disabilities need therefore to be included at all stages of development processes. 

In South Africa while great strides have been made to address their plight like them receiving monthly grants, persons with disability continue to be discriminated against and their rights violated. Transport remains a major barrier limiting their participation in social, educational and economic activities. 

Persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15% of the world’s population. Almost one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons living with disabilities who are between 110-190 million, encounter significant difficulties. Furthermore, a quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability, as care-givers or family members.