Constitutional rights and responsibilities

Geography connection: Social Development How do you think social development and human rights relate? The Department of Social Development of South Africa is a government department responsible for providing social development, protection, and welfare services to the public.

Respect for other’s rights People living with disabilities and HIV and AIDS

Write down THREE positive things about yourself/ any extraordinary things you did.

Complete the statement Inclusion is… Being a part of what everyone else is, being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs.

So, why do we have rights and where do they come from?

Video-based questions Why are human rights not “privileges”? Why do you think universal rights emerged from WWII? Why is it so difficult to enforce rights universally? Video-based questions

Rights of people with disabilities Complete “famous people with disabilities quiz”

A human rights issue In the past, people prescribed a specific role for certain individuals (stereotyping) and how we should react to them (stigmatizing). People with disabilities and their families became isolated.

There are not enough services and opportunities for people with disabilities to live equally to able-bodied people. Such persons can contribute when barriers are lifted that impede their basic rights. This means that disability is a human rights issue. If rights are restored, they can contribute like any other person. Look at the following example:  What is the problem?

Read the following conversation: It's because of three flights of stairs that I am unable to reach the top with my wheelchair. You mean the stairs disable you? Yes, that's my barrier. Read the following conversation:

3 Ways of Discrimination I did not know there was a problem. Ignorance "Able-bodied people do not know what we go through." Put them all in special places for treatment. Prejudice "They have a way of treating us as aliens, ill, or like invalids." See how all these people behave the same. Stereotyping "They look at us and don't see individuals, they see a handicapped lot." 3 Ways of Discrimination

Main types of impairment Sensory – one of your senses is impaired, e.g. seeing, hearing or speaking. Mental – your ability to think, argue and understand is impaired. Physical – one or more of your bodily functions is impaired, e.g. arms, legs or back.

Causes of impairment Born – since child birth: cerebral palsy, Down's Syndrome, paralyses, etc. Became – as a result from illnesses: multiple sclerosis, polio, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc. *Can also stem from the misuse of medication/drugs or psychological issues like stress or depression. Befell – as a result of accidents: war, training, vehicle/sport accidents or natural disasters like floods, lightning, etc. 

Barriers in Mainstream Society Think of examples of how these could be a barrier: 1. Work and income 2. Transport 3. Education 4. Communication 5. Built environment 6. Sport and recreation