People with disabilities continue to lack access to adequate health and basic education and are at risk of economic isolation with no prospect of securing employment. Five years on and with the unprecedented effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, this situation demands urgent attention.

Low expectations, stigmas and discriminatory preconceived notions about capabilities have long limited opportunities for persons with disabilities. In recent years, however, there has been much dialogue and activism focused on changing this culture of fear and misrepresentation. Here’s why hiring people with disabilities is a win-win. An untapped gold mine of talent According to Statista, South Africa’s 2020 unemployment rate...

While the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities may be widely acknowledged, demystifying and highlighting the largely marginalised disability sector as well as the sourcing and accessing of relevant skills within this sector often continue to pose a challenge. On Friday 23 October, a Workplace Readiness Programme brought together hundreds of skilled learners, associations, and business in one virtual space...

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports that 23 South Africans commit suicide every day. However, despite the disturbing global statistics, mental illness remains the most stigmatised of all health conditions and those affected continue to be shamed and face discrimination in society. The invisible...

In a recent article on Disability Connect, we ran the story about Karabo Nguyuza, whose guesthouse had been declared the best in Tembisa by Gauteng Women in Tourism (WiT). We caught up with Karabo, who is writing a book about her experiences, to ask her more about herself, her motivation and her business. When diagnosed with polio at the age of 10, Karabo says that within a blink...

Rory Preddy, Senior Cloud Advocate at Microsoft South Africa, shares some insights into the challenges facing employees with disabilities in SA, the potential for AI and advances in technology to be a great transformer, and his experience working for multinational technology company Microsoft. 1. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges for persons with disabilities in SA in...