International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December 2013

Approximately 15% of the world's population is disabled in one way or another and no less than a quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability through being family members or caregivers of disabled individuals.  Dealing with disability is therefore a major challenge faced by every country around the world.

At the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) we encourage our members to take control of their family's health. GEMS supports initiatives such as International Day of Persons with Disabilities because they help to make people aware of some of the challenges facing disabled people today.

What is disability?
When we think of a disabled person we tend to think of a person who has a physical condition that confines them to a wheelchair. In fact a disability is any physical or mental condition that limits a person's activities or senses. Aside from physical disability, which may itself affect people in diverse ways, there are many other different types of disability including:

• people who are deaf or hearing impaired;
• people who are blind or partially sighted;
• people with learning or intellectual disabilities;
• people with mental health or psychological difficulties.

Today we prefer to talk about how people are enabled rather than how they are disabled or, in other words, what they can achieve rather than what they cannot.

Challenges facing people with disabilities
Disabled people face numerous challenges and are still widely discriminated against today. United Nations Enable, a department of the United Nations that provides support to disabled people, says:

"Around the world, persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society. They are disproportionally represented among the world's poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources, such as education, employment, healthcare and social and legal support systems, as well as have a higher rate of mortality. In spite of this situation, disability has remained largely invisible in the mainstream development agenda and its processes." 

Some individuals think that people with disabilities have mental problems because they don't look like everyone else. A large number of people with disabilities are not able to find jobs because there are employers who do not want to employ a disabled person.

Physically disabled people in wheelchairs may have difficulties in getting around and accessing shops or buildings. Many poor physically disabled people do not even have the benefit of a wheelchair or prosthetic limbs and have to remain at home, completely reliant on others.

In South Africa this situation is starting to change as employment equity legislation encourages more employers to take on disabled people and awareness initiatives start to bear fruit. Nevertheless it has been estimated that three quarters of South Africa's disabled population have never had a job and much still remains to be done to support disabled people in the country.

Part of the reason for discrimination against people with disabilities is a lack of understanding that they are no different from other people and that they have a positive and valuable contribution to make to our communities.

The language we use is important in reflecting our thoughts and beliefs. Words can degrade and diminish people and should be carefully considered before they are used. Terms such as "crippled", "handicapped" and "invalid" are examples of such words that may be upsetting to people with a disability and should be avoided.

Getting assistance
There are certain practical steps that many people with disabilities can take to empower themselves to overcome the barriers that they are confronted with as a result of their disability.

Sometimes healthcare interventions can help an individual with their disability. For example psychological support is available to those who have suffered a trauma in their lives or who may have suffered brain injury.

Aids such as wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs can help some physically disabled individuals to get around, while hearing aids can help improve hearing. Such aids are called "assistive technology" and are devices to help disabled people overcome their disability. Other examples include walking frames, Braille to assist those who are unable to see to be able to read, large sized print that is easier for those with poor eyesight to read and text phones. There are also support organisations available for disabled individuals.

Any GEMS member who is disabled in some way should visit their doctor to see what can be done to assist and support them.

What is it for?
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated every year on 3 December, promotes an understanding of the issues that people with disabilities face, and seeks to help bring them into the mainstream of our economy and society. The aims of the day are to promote:

• an understanding of the issues facing disabled people;
• the rights of persons with disabilities;
• the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities;
• the integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of the economic, cultural, political and social life of their communities;
• encouraging access to job creation, education and training, social development and buildings;
• calling on people to act around disability issues.

The day has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992 and has a different theme every year. In 2013 the theme for the day is: "Break barriers, open doors:  for an inclusive society for all."

According to UN Enable: "Experience shows that when persons with disabilities are empowered to participate and lead the process of development, their entire community benefits, as their involvement creates opportunities for everyone - with or without a disability."

Becoming disabled need not be the end of one's life. Indeed many people see their disability as a challenge to be overcome and everyone faces challenges in their lives.  They focus on what they can achieve rather than what they cannot. Sports heroes such as Natalie du Toit have shown what disabled individuals can achieve with the necessary determination and support and are an inspiration to everyone.

References
Disabled People South Africa, www.dpsa.org.za.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December 2013, United Nations Enable, http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1607.
Convention on the rights with people with disabilities, http://www.scoop.it/t/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.
The Rachel Swart Fund, http://www.rachelswart.org.za