​The combined effects of the rising cost of living together with the unprecedented series of economic, social, health, and climate change reinforce the intolerable experiences of poverty that persons with disabilities bear daily. 
On Wednesday, 31 May, 2023, the National Department of Social Development (DSD) and the department in the province hosted a public hearing session on Social Services to Persons with Disabilities, at the Hamlet Adult Centre, Johannesburg.
 
The hearing was aimed at getting public comments on the envisaged draft policy towards the realization of tangible human-level outcomes for persons with disabilities, particularly those living in rural communities, youth, and women, to mainstream disability issues in all programmatic interventions as well as target investments that will specifically benefit Persons with Disabilities.

National Department Director Manthipi Molamu said, “We are bearing fruits of year’s working through this policy and departmental political heads have endorsed the draft policy and as a result, it has been gazetted for a white paper. These public hearings in different provinces are earmarked to get public comments and inputs”. 

Molamu said that all government officials and departments are expected to implement this policy. 

The policy reinforces the White Paper in as much as it specifies the Portfolio’s commitments where this relates to disability. This policy will ensure that responsive and integrated social development services are timeously accessible to Persons with Disabilities for their needs to be met and their rights to be fulfilled. 

Comments can also be made to DSDservices@dsd.gov.za and SophieM@dsd.gov.za