This year’s Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) theme is “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy: Creating a Disability-Inclusive Society for a Better Quality of Life and the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” This theme aligns with the national focus on commemorating three decades of democracy in South Africa and emphasises the importance of creating an inclusive society for persons with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities and the Built Environment in South Africa it’s not disabilities, but the abilities that define us. Imagine a South Africa, where every corner of our built environment reflects the diverse cultures, religions, and languages envisioned in our Constitution. Despite the rich cultural heritage and thriving urban landscapes, South Africa still faces challenges in accommodating the needs of disabled individuals (accessibility) within the built environment. Our public infrastructure, commercial buildings, and even some residential areas still require substantial improvements to become fully inclusive spaces.

Can we envision a built environment in South Africa wherein buildings and infrastructure are designed with everyone in mind – not just for the majority, but for all citizens? Think about how much of a difference that would make to persons with disabilities, how it could empower them to engage more confidently with their surroundings and to live independently.

There’s the Pantheon in Rome, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Washington Monument in Washington DC, and we have Table Mountain in Cape Town. It’s not the wonders of the world that make a place; it’s the people. As proud South Africans, it falls upon us to build an environment where persons with disabilities are not an afterthought but are at the forefront of design and planning processes. I must admit, this is not an easy task. It needs constructive dialogue, it needs active citizen participation, and it requires us to come together as one, irrespective of our differences. It is my considered view that together we can shift perspectives and break down the barriers that limit the potential of our society. Against this background, in December 2023, the Council for the Built Environment convened an inaugural colloquium as part of advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in the built environment. This dialogue allowed built environment professionals and organizations representing persons with disabilities to begin creating places and spaces that are accessible to all.

It has also provided us an opportunity to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are not viewed as a drawback but as a different ability. My view is that we must build a nation where the built environment does not merely exist but serves to empower. After all, every voice matters, and every step counts. We all have the power to make a difference. Let’s shape an inclusive society that’s not defined by disabilities but by possibilities! Remember, we are all disabled in some way or another. Let’s build an inclusive South Africa.

Issued by:

Dr. Msizi Myeza

Chief Executive Officer

Council for the Built Environment

Tel: 012 3463985

www.cbe.org.za