Mbombela - A parliament for people with disabilities will take place in Mpumalanga on Friday to encourage the disabled to become part of the governance process.
More than 300 disabled people are expected to participate in the sitting at the provincial legislature, which is an initiative of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government.
"The parliament will discuss the negative social attitudes that hinder the economic development of the disabled," said the manager of public affairs in the legislature, Nosisa Sogayise.
She said participants would discuss the obstacles they faced in their daily lives, such as language and social barriers, which prevented citizens with disabilities from taking their rightful place in community life.
The disabled will also discuss the support they get from the provincial government, such as social grants and funds to start their own businesses, and opportunities available for them at its various departments.
"They will also try to find ways to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities who live in rural areas, Sogayise said.
Organisations such as Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) and the Moonlight Association for the Blind will also attend to give their input, as well as MECs from various departments.
According to a survey done in 2008 by DPSA in Mpumalanga, 80 000 in the province were living with disabilities.
