“Today, we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and the rights of persons with disabilities,” said the Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht at the Mayoral Committee meeting. “However, here at the CWDM, we are doing our best to increase awareness of the challenges that many people with a disability, whether temporary, progressive or permanent, experience. We are addressing this daily!”
The CWDM has several close partnerships with various NGOs that are supported through our grant-in-aid programme. There are currently five associations dedicated to the physically disabled in the Cape Winelands District. They all received funding toward specific projects aimed at improving the lives of those dependent on them. Another project is the distribution of adult diapers to assist those in need.
The CWDM has through its Tourism Department also addressed universal accessibility, often referred to as ‘UA’. In June and July, the department ran an extensive radio campaign together with travel writer and blogger, Tarryn Tomlinson, CEO of Liveable and Able2Travel Accessible Travel to highlight what being a UA travel destination represents. Local tourism associations were invited in September to submit an itinerary for a family travelling with mountain bikes, prams and a wheelchair-bound family member in order to show what experiences and destinations are available in their towns. The winners were the Stellenbosch, Montagu and Paarl LTAs. The entries were judged according to strict criteria by Louine Griessel, who at the time was the Development Manager of the Western Cape Association of and for People with Disabilities (WCAPD), and Tarryn Tomlinson.
“The CWDM’s commitment to universal accessibility does not stop there!” stated Mayor Von Schlicht. “Through funding received from the Western Cape Department of Mobility, we are currently rebuilding the sidewalks around the National Institute for the Blind in Worcester. These sidewalks will enable people with visual and physical disabilities to travel safely from their home, care facility or school to the CBD and the various buildings of the institute.”
This project includes innovative markers and wider walkways at the corners of the road, allowing for easier identification and safer crossings. The added advantage of the walkway is that it will benefit all people and children using the area, as there are a number of schools, hostels and churches situated in the same space.
The CWDM is the only municipality that is fortunate to have an Ambassador for Persons with Disabilities, namely Councillor Thys Blom who has served on the CWDM Council for many years. He not only advocates for organisations to embrace universal accessibility, but emphasises that simply having a ramp doesn’t necessarily mean that the business is wheelchair friendly – the ramp needs to be user friendly too. “It is no use if the ramp is so steep that the wheelchair rolls backwards!” he is known to say.
“The CWDM is committed to celebrating not only the diversity of our residents, but also the diverse options available to people with all kinds of abilities,” stated Mayor Von Schlicht in closure.
