The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to fast-track progress on disability inclusion, following delays in implementing key commitments made in government strategies.
The DA says many provinces have yet to adopt or enforce accessibility policies aligned with the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, despite these commitments being made nearly a decade ago.
During a recent NCOP sitting, the party highlighted critical gaps in areas such as:
- Employment equity for persons with disabilities in the public sector
- Inclusive education and early childhood support
- Accessible transport and infrastructure
- Disaggregated data collection to inform policy decisions
“Talk is cheap. What we need now is accountability, urgency, and real action to ensure that no person with a disability is left behind,” said the DA.
The call comes during heightened public focus on inclusion efforts, as advocates push for more transparent reporting and provincial-level implementation plans that are measurable and enforceable. The DA is urging the NCOP to hold departments accountable and ensure disability inclusion becomes a deliverable—not just a promise.
