{"id":47741,"date":"2023-11-10T08:20:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T06:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/walk-for-disabled-20231108\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T06:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T04:30:09","slug":"walk-for-disabled-20231108","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/walk-for-disabled-20231108\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking for the disabled: A call for equitable access to services and opportunities in Stellenbosch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Walk with Disability is an event for people with disabilities, the general public and key role-players to join forces in celebrating the advances made towards a more inclusive society and accessible urban environments, but also to highlight the continued struggle against disability exclusion and discrimination.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The fifth annual Walk with Disability event will again take place on the streets of Stellenbosch on Saturday 18 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event is hosted in celebration of National Disability Rights Awareness Month, which culminates in the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It focuses on promoting disability awareness and integration, and calls on local and provincial government to increase their efforts to ensure equitable access to services and opportunities for people of all abilities, especially regarding public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt is only through greater understanding and support within our own communities that we can truly become disability-aware.\u201d<\/div>\n
Dr Cindy Wiggett-Barnard, SDN chairperson and CEO of ChangeAbility.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The walk is hosted by the Stellenbosch Disability Network (SDN) in collaboration with Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch University\u2019s (US) Sport Science department and local sponsor Stelkor Pharmacies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk with Disability is an event for people with disabilities, the general public and key role-players to join forces in celebrating the advances made towards a more inclusive society and accessible urban environments, but also to highlight the continued struggle against disability exclusion and discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ | Call for council to address disability inaccessibility<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe SDN wants to facilitate and continue the process of raising awareness of the rights and potential of people with disabilities, with the ultimate aim of achieving greater accessibility and mobility for all,\u201d explained Dr Cindy Wiggett-Barnard, SDN chairperson and CEO of ChangeAbility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is only through greater understanding and support within our own communities that we can truly become disability-aware.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directly after the walk a memorandum addressed to Stellenbosch Mayor Adv Gesie van Deventer will be read and handed over, not only to thank the municipality for its continued efforts towards better accessibility and engagement, but also to encourage even greater promotion of disability inclusion and accessibility in all public spheres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n