SAE4D comments on the proposed Social Inclusion Policy Framework

The Policy aims to assist public institutions of higher education and training to develop their own social policies and guidelines to drive inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities. The Department of Higher Education and Training also aims to use the social policy as a monitoring instrument to ensure that transformation priorities are taken into account at the level of higher education institutions.

SAE4D is an employer organisation that is committed to addressing issues confronting the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace.

"It is SAE4D's belief that our education system ignores the plight of children with disabilities and this is the single biggest hindrance to enabling the successful integration of people with disabilities both in the workplace and in society at large," says Bobby Barua, a SAE4D executive committee member.

He points out that people with disabilities are the largest minority group in our society yet they still remain an untapped labour source that can contribute meaningfully to our economy.

"One of our experiences at SAE4D is that people with disabilities have immense potential to contribute meaningfully to our economy - provided they are given equal opportunities," he adds.

Nevertheless, while SAE4D welcomes the formulation of the draft policy for higher education institutions, it believes that only an equal and inclusive education system at pre-primary and high school level will create a sufficient pipeline for young adults with disabilities to succeed at TVET colleges, community colleges and universities and thus become positive, active and equal contributors in the workplace and in society.