01 Sep 2013

People living with disabilities (PLWDs) have been encouraged to take advantage of government programmes instead of begging.

Speaking in an interview after a Beno society workshop for churches, community leaders, orphans, the elderly and PLWDs in Moshupa recently, the principal disability officer in the Office of the President, Ms Thapelo Moalosi said street begging undermined available citizen empowerment programmes and interventions.

“Street begging makes them destitute and unfairly discredit government efforts to afford them dignity through various initiatives,” she said. She said when a person living with disability was unable to manage a citizen empowerment project on their own, a care giver would be placed in charge.

Ms Moalosi urged care givers to enquire on available government initiatives, programmes and interventions and to help PLWDs to apply for assistance. She also advised PLWDs to apply for a disability card at the nearest hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation offices for identification purposes.

With the card, she said it would be easier for them to access government services, adding that the card would also enable them to use Seabelo transport for free. Ms Moalosi also advised churches to create ramps within their facilities to enhance accessibility for those using wheel chairs.

She further urged churches to have sign language interpreters during services so that members who did not use spoken word would also benefit. On other issues, Ms Moalosi challenged community leaders to protect orphans, the elderly and PLWDs.

Pastor Dickson Motlogelwa of Moshupa conceded that most churches were not disability friendly in terms of accessibility and sign language usage, but promised to sell the idea to his congregation. The workshop sought to encourage community leaders and churches to join hands with non-governmental organisations like Beno to complement government efforts in the care for orphans, the elderly and PLWDs. ENDS