Sanitation policy in South Africa: does it address people with disabilities?

Abstract

South Africa is one of the countries facing the challenge of meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for sanitation. At least five percent of the South African population consists of people with disabilities (PWDs) and the question remains whether sanitation delivery in the country is addressing the needs of this group of individuals. This paper reviews legislation and sanitation policy within South Africa to determine whether the needs of PWDs were being addressed. The review highlighted that PWDs are excluded by the policy. The conclusions of the review are that sanitation policy should be inclusive and adopt a holistic approach. This should be achieved by reviewing present policy to ensure inclusion and focus on PWDs; ensuring implementation of sanitation awareness programmes for PWDs, monitoring and evaluation of compliance to policy requirements and the introduction of economic measures such as subsidies, incentives and fines.