Parliament Disability Policy: discussion

Meeting report

IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND STATUS OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND DISABLED PERSONS JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE
29 March 2006
PARLIAMENT DISABILITY POLICY: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms W S Newhoudt-Drunchen (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Disability Policy Document

SUMMARY
Parliament’s Policy Monitoring Unit briefed Members on the institution’s disability policy. Members raised concerns about the definitions contained in the policy document. They were also told that MPs had been consulted about the policy in October 2004 and that their recommendations had been included in the policy. Notwithstanding, the Unit was directed to revise the policy and to report back to the Committee.

MINUTES
Ms L Harper of Parliament’s Policy Monitoring Unit (PMU) told Members that they had been consulted about the disability policy. She said that this policy was brought into effect from October 2004.

The Chairperson said that they were not happy with the policy. She said that they were not satisfied with the definitions. Deaf and blind people were not happy with the policy as they were not accommodated in it.

Mr V Gore (ID) said that the definitions were problematic. However, Parliament was a reasonably accessible environment to Members with disabilities, but it still had some way to go.

Ms P Bhengu (ANC) said that this policy was not good for Members with disabilities. She said that more attention should be paid to their salaries.

The Chairperson wanted to know if Parliament’s committee rooms and offices were accessible to people with disabilities.

Ms Bhengu replied that she was removed from her office and that another office was made accessible for her.

Mr Gore said that they had to congratulate Parliament on the progress and improvements that they had made. However he has not been able to get behind the podium in the National Assemble. He said that the ramps leading into the National Assembly and the Marks Building were not up to standard for people in wheelchairs. In Committee Room M46, Members in wheelchairs had to sit in the middle of the floor.

The Chairperson commented that the lighting in M46 was not good enough for her to see the interpreter. When meeting venues were renovated, Members had to be consulted.

Mr M I Moss (ANC) commented that no changes could be made without consulting Members with disabilities. He said that they needed more space, especially in the Assembly.

Ms N C Kondlo (ANC) suggested that Members go through the policy clause by clause and decide what changes should be made

Mr M Masuthu (ANC) commented that the document contained a lot of definitions. However the term "special needs" was not defined. He said that the concept of an assistant was a bit vague. Also, the legislative framework definition was inadequate.

Ms Harper replied that the grades determined in the policy were only a guideline for them to pay the assistants.

Mr Gore said that he was not aware of grades and wanted to know if the policy had been implemented.

Ms Harper replied that the policy was implemented last year.

Mr L Nzimande (ANC) commented that he had requested a palm top which he would be able to take notes in Braille. However Parliament had decided to issue all MPs with laptops and that he had received the JAWS software on his. He said that this was not convenient for him as JAWS was a programme that "talked back" and would cause a disturbance to other Members in the meetings.

The Chairperson wanted to know if he transcribed the documents into Braille himself.

Mr Nzimande replied that he had a Braille printer in his office which he uses. His assistant was able to transcribe his documents into Braille for him.

Mr Masuthu commented that the policy document looks more like a questionnaire than a policy document. He suggested that the PMU draw on other sources to help with the formulation of the document. He said that certain guidelines could be implemented for Departments who give presentations to the Committees.

Ms J Chalmers (ANC) said Members with special needs should be able to participate in all proceedings. She wanted to know if an audit had been done to determine if other Parliaments in the world had the same problem.

The Chairperson said that as a deaf person she wanted to give input on how a sign language interpreter was appointed but was told that she could not because she was a member of a political party. The Chairperson wanted to know if the PMU just wrote up policy or if they followed up on them.

Mr J Phaweni of PMU replied that they were a fairly new unit and that they were trying to make things right. He said that not all inputs were used. He suggested that they use the next three months to beef up the policy after which they would report back to the Committee.

The Chairperson commented that the policy was not only for MPs but for members of the public as well.

Mr Nzimande commented that practical steps had to be taken to ensure that the policy included members of the public with disabilities. They also needed to look at training facilities.

Ms Bhengu said that Members in wheelchairs should be accommodated in the benches where there were microphones so that they can participate in the process without having to wait for the roving microphone.

The Chairperson suggested that the revised policy document be sent to Mr Masuthu and Mr Nzimande first so that they could review it.

The meeting was adjourned.