12 Sep 2013

Coordinator of People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) in the Office of the President, Mr Thomas Motingwa, has urged the nation to assist and give people with disability a fair chance to pursue their dreams at the workplace and in society.

Mr Motingwa said since his office was established in 2010, it has come up with new and important ideas that are aimed at improving the lives of PLWD’s. He said currently there is a borehole in Ramotswa at which people with disabilities meet on a daily basis to undertake horticultural projects.

Another borehole is targeted for Mogobane, and will be drilled with the assistance of the American Embassy.

“The objective is for all the 16 districts to have boreholes that those with disability can use to practice their vocational skills,” said Mr Motingwa.

The official further said they have made an effort to negotiate with the Directorate of Public Service Management to employ people with disabilities permanently in government departments.

“So far, more than 30 people with disabilities have graduated and are being absorbed into government departments,” he  said.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development has created a special dispensation for PLWDs to be admitted to tertiary institutions, as a way of ensuring that majority of them can have access to tertiary education.

“We all know that very few people with disability have tertiary qualification,” he said.

Mr Motingwa also revealed that his office has managed to convince the education ministry to pay special education teachers Scarce Skills allowance because it is not easy to impart knowledge on learners with disability compared to teaching students who do not have any disabilities.

“We also hope that in future people living with disabilities will be given a grant by government just like orphans. We hope government will consider our request, especially for PLWDs who don’t have formal employment,” he said.

Mr Motingwa said a number of government buildings are being renovated to cater for PLWDs because in the past access to public buildings was not friendly to them.

“Back in the days, those buildings weren’t friendly for them, especially those who use wheel chairs. We are coming up with laws that will help enforce friendly access for people with disability in all buildings,”  Mr Motingwa said.

He also encouraged all government departments to train their employees in sign language and braille,” he said. Ends