044_-_policy_on_social_development_services_to_persons_with_disabilities_apr_2017.pdf

Summary

The 2017 Policy on Social Development Services to Persons with Disabilities establishes a comprehensive framework for transforming how South Africa supports its citizens with impairments. Shifting from a traditional medical model to a rights-based social model, the document outlines strategies to eliminate the environmental and systemic barriers that cause marginalization and poverty. It emphasizes disability mainstreaming, ensuring that every government department integrates the specific needs of disabled persons into their standard budgets and programs. The policy details specific interventions for independent living, residential care, and economic empowerment while defining the distinct roles of various state actors. Ultimately, it seeks to uphold the inherent dignity of persons with disabilities through standardized service delivery, robust monitoring, and legal compliance.